The club had originally hoped, and were promised, to have two AFL games come to Ballarat next year, but given the stadium’s redevelopments are not expected to be completed until May – the round 22 clash between the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide will be the only AFL presence next season.

Former Roosters general manager of football Gary Buckenara said it could even cost the club around $200,000 and given its flailing financial state – the fixturing decision will prove costly.

If the club can negotiate to have the catering rights at the games it would benefit enormously from each AFL match.

The Roosters are looking to bridge a gap beyond $500,000 to reach the required $1.6-1.8m it costs to run a VFL program and according to Buckenara the revenue from each AFL fixture will be a big part of its future in the VFL competition – making the promised two games, down to one, a significant blow.

“You’d be hopeful out of the AFL games, the catering rights, if the club can win them, that could bring in another $100,000-plus if it’s done right,” Buckenara said.

“It would certainly make a huge difference to the footy club...that could be the life behind the VFL program surviving.

“Then one game becomes two games and who knows it could be four games in five years time.”

Buckenara said if the deals were done right football in Ballarat would be a win for all involved, but stressed that building relationships with the necessary bodies was crucial – something he felt was lacking on the previous board.

“I think everybody who has an invested interest in the ground can get a win out of it - if you can build relationships. That’s only done when you have good relationships and you’re fair and reasonable in your dealings. At the moment there just hasn’t been that relationship with the council. Unless that gets fixed very quickly the club might find themselves on the outer.”