The Bombers have been chasing a clearance for Barrenger throughout the off-season, but his home club Rokewood-Corindhap has so far refused to grant one.

The Grasshoppers are holding Barrenger to a contract he signed which they believe ties him to the club for season 2018.

Rokewood-Corindhap football manager Leigh Russell said the two clubs had been in talks and is expecting an appeal to be lodged by Buninyong.

“We think we have got a valid contract and based on the information we have, at this stage the committee doesn’t believe we should be clearing a player to play against Rokewood-Corindhap,” he said.

Russell said Rokewood-Corindhap was happy to go through the appeal process and if that resulted in Barrenger becoming a Buninyong player it would have to be accepted.

Wayne Morgan, Buninyong’s football manager, said the appeal avenue was what Barrenger wanted to occur.

The versatile key position player has been training with the Bombers throughout the pre-season and even took part in their practice match against Sebastopol on Saturday.

He sat out most of the 2017 Central Highlands Football League season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during a practice game.

Barrenger returned for the Grasshoppers late in their campaign and kicked 20 goals from his four appearances.

Buninyong, which will again be coached by Jarrod Morgan, opens its new season with a clash against Springbank in Wallace on April 7. The Bombers then have a home game against Ballan the following week.