Dragons transfer blocked
By Paul Amy
Leader Newspapers (published 28.11.12)
AFL Victoria has denied the Southern Dragons a transfer from the Southern Football League to the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
The state authority said it had to recognise the Southern league's role in helping the Dragons develop into a senior club in 2009.
Made up of players of Asian origin, the Dragons started as a social team competing in the annual Multicultural Cup.
Linking with the Box Hill North and Elgar Sports Club in 2007, they registered in the VAFA's Club 18 competition as the Elgar Park Dragons. Moving to the SFL as the Southern Dragons in 2009, they won the Division 3 premiership in 2011.
But wins were more elusive this year in Division 2 and at the end of the season the club sought a switch back to the VAFA, saying it would be unable to compete with clubs who paid players (the amateurs have a non-payment policy).
An AFL Victoria panel heard from the Dragons and the SFL and VAFA on November 13.
Last Wednesday it blocked the Dragons' move, saying Southern had accepted the club as a senior entity at a time when the VAFA wouldn't and had supported it well.
SFL Chief Executive Officer David Cannizzo said the league was pleased with AFL Victoria's decision and would work to resolve the club's concerns about continuing in Southern.
Last Modified on 16/12/2012 19:06