Port Fairy, which boldly declared its players off-limits late last year after a raid from minor league teams, this week denied clearance bids by two senior players.

The two, Rocklyn Miller and Chris Vickery, had sought transfers to Dennington as part of a push by the club to climb up the ladder after finishing ninth in 2011 — seven spots lower than 2010 when it was a grand finalist.

Dogs coach Darcy Lewis, who was unaware the clearances had been rejected, yesterday said the club hoped the situation could be resolved.

He said the club was excited the pair, who believed they were not contracted to the Seagulls for 2012, had wanted to cross to the Dogs. The knockbacks came after fellow WDFNL club Merrivale had clearances for Hampden and Victorian Country Football League representative Sam Dwyer and Scott Kelly rejected.

Merrivale representatives travelled to Port Fairy earlier this week for a meeting with Seagulls officials in a bid to broker a resolution.

But Port Fairy president Mick Finnigan said Dwyer and Kelly were contracted players who were required by the club.

He said the Seagulls had two-year contracts with a number of players and believed they should be honoured by the players.

Finnigan said the club had signed players on two-year contracts to bring some stability to the club’s playing list.

Merrivale president Paul Fish confirmed he had met with the Seagulls but declined to comment further.

Hampden league side Terang Mortlake could also be drawn into the clearance stand-off with talented young Seagulls ruckman Robbie Hare training with the Bloods this summer. Hare is yet to lodge a clearance.

Players seeking clearances can lodge applications a second time and if denied then appeal to an independent tribunal.