The Lions were planning to seek a resolution to the stand-off from an independent board, however, that has been taken off the table as it’s not a clearance matter, according to AFL Victoria community football operations manager Gerard Ryan.

Ryan told The Courier Horbury was a Redan player that interchanged with the Roosters.

Horbury signed a contract with the Roosters last year, but has stated his intentions to play back at Redan in 2015.

“AFL Victoria appeals deal with player transfers from club to club and in this case it’s not a transfer because he already is a Redan player. He has a valid contract with the North Ballarat Roosters,” Ryan said.

Redan president Peter Britt was surprised to learn the club had no ability to appeal North’s decision not to release Horbury and admitted it was unlikely the club would pursue the matter through a legal process.

“That’s a decision for the board and the player, and the club in general, but it’d be very doubtful you’d go down the civil process – that would be highly unlikely,” Britt said.

Britt said the Lions wanted to continue their good relationship with the Roosters, which they had built over a number of years.

He highlighted the journey of former Redan, Roosters and now Hawthorn premiership player Isaac Smith as an example of the good relationship between the two clubs.

“Redan has always encouraged the players to go to the highest level and never held anyone back,” Britt said.

“We’ve got a young player now who, due to a number of reasons, wants to come back to his home club and he’s being denied that.”

He said Horbury had been “very forthright” in his reasons for wanting to step back from the VFL environment.

It is believed the Roosters are asking Horbury to partake in a number of sessions each week in order to be available to play with the Lions.

However, both Horbury and Redan say his inability to commit to such training is one of the driving reasons behind his decision to quit the VFL.

North Ballarat chief executive Mark Patterson said discussions between the two parties would need to recommence.

“The conversation and negotiations between Nathan and North will now need to recommence given that we understand, as of (Wednesday), there’s no avenue of appeal for Nathan,” Patterson said.

“As a result of that, we’ve had some communication with Redan and we will continue those discussions to determine whether there can be an agreeable outcome for both parties.”

Horbury featured in Redan’s practice match against Rupertswood on Saturday, but will be ineligible to play for the maroon and gold in its Ballarat Football League season opener this weekend unless freed by the Roosters.

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au