Sam Dwyer and Scott Kelly, who played for Port Fairy in the Hampden league last year, have been training at Merrivale with intentions to play with the Warrnambool and District league club this season.

However, the Seagulls officially denied Dwyer’s and Kelly’s clearance papers on Wednesday.

Merrivale president Paul Fish yesterday told The Standard the Tigers would follow the correct procedures to secure the duo for this year.

“There’s not much else we can do at our end,” he said.

“We will try to seek a meeting with Port Fairy and work through the process.

“That’s all we can do.”

Fish said Dwyer and Kelly had spoken to Port Fairy, informing the Seagulls of their desire to leave, to no avail.

The Tigers president said he was just as keen to have the clearances sorted as soon as possible.

“They’re quality players,” Fish said.

“Scott is a Merrivale boy. He played his juniors here and now he wants to come back to play with his brother Brad.

“Sam has got some friends here as well.”

Port Fairy president Mick Finnigan said he would “possibly” be open to a meeting with Merrivale.

But the Seagulls are remaining firm.

“They’re contracted players,” Finnigan said yesterday. “They are required players at Port Fairy.”

Meanwhile, Merrivale will lose five players to AFL Cairns this year.

Lewis Blake, Sam Ferriday, Brad Fortune, Tristan Keilar and Tim Ripper have clearances pending which should be approved, according to Fish.

South Warrnambool export Trent Harman, who signed with Merrivale late last year, will instead head to AFL Cairns as well.

Port Fairy is awaiting clearance approval for brothers Andrew and Xavier McCartney, who played for Old Collegians last year.

“It’s lovely to have them back on board,” Finnigan said.

District league clubs Den-nington, East Warrnambool and Merrivale appear to have been very busy during the off-season.

The clubs each have at least five players requesting approval to join their lists.

Dennington has sought the service of Dean Funston, from Nirranda, and East Warrnambool is set to secure Tasmanian State League player Tour Miar as a replacement for his outgoing brother Andrea Miar.