LAST season’s grand finalist Warrnambool will miss the Hampden league’s 2015 pre-season competition after committing to a practice match it scheduled before a date for the annual tournament was released.
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The league’s nine other clubs, including Terang Mortlake which also had a scratch match pencilled in on the now confirmed date, will play in the March 28 competition.
Clubs were asked to submit preferences for the pre-season cup after last week’s annual general meeting identified the clash.
Three other dates — March 14, March 29 and April 11 — were floated but the majority of clubs supported the league’s original proposal, which was detailed to them on November 21.
Warrnambool organised its practice match with Geelong league club Newtown and Chilwell on November 4.
Blues chairman of football Wally Steere said it was unfortunate the Blues would miss the annual cup.
“I think it was a majority ruling (in favour of March 28) and from the league’s point of view that’s fair,” he said.
“Again we stress it is disappointing we won’t be in it.
“But I don’t think it’s the be all and end all.
“I am sure it will be a great success.”
Steere said Warrnambool was excited to play Newtown and Chilwell as preparations for its season ramp up.
“We went off last year’s date when we organised our practice match,” he said.
“We organised the practice match a month ago.
“The earlier you pencil them in, the better.
“If you leave it too late it’s hard to find quality games for the team.”
Steere said the Blues were keen to have a full hit-out before the start of the season proper on April 18.
“Playing a Geelong side will be more beneficial than the stop-start Boag’s Cup,” he said.
“We will have a full round of matches on that day — under 18s, reserves and seniors.”
Terang Mortlake president Robert Arundell said the Bloods would reschedule their practice game against Geelong league club South Barwon to ensure they could compete in the league-organised pre-season competition.
“We’ll be playing in it,” he said.
Arundell said the new pre-season format, where teams will play two halves against two different teams straight after each other, was a positive.
It eliminates the long breaks between games which have frustrated clubs in the past.
The host club, which is yet to be announced, will play in the first and last games of the cup.
HFNL chief executive Mike Farrow said it was disappointing Warrnambool would not be part of the concept.
But he said a communication mix-up hurt.
“It is not ideal,” he said.
“There were some rights and wrongs on both sides.
“They based it on the equivalent weekend last year … but the draw is back two weeks on last year.”
Farrow hopes the league can build the pre-season competition into a family-oriented event.