Rokewood-Corindhap has been holding Barrenger to a contract he signed for this season and the Bombers’ appeal to have him released was formally denied by AFL Victoria this week.

There is still further appeal avenues for Buninyong to pursue, but it is unclear if that will take place.

Bombers senior coach Jarrod Morgan said he was notified of the result on Thursday evening and was disappointed Barrenger would likely not play football this year.

It is understood Barrenger has no intentions of returning to play with the Grasshoppers, where he has been one of their star players in recent years.

“He is going to most likely sit out of footy for 12 months now unless we can somehow find a way…,” Morgan told The Courier.

“The club and players would love to have him out there, it's more just disappointing for him.”

Rokewood-Corindhap football manager Leigh Russell said he now hoped the decision by AFL Victoria would allow the club and Barrenger to move forward.

Russell said while disappointed Buninyong chose to fight the contract, the club “understands their right to pursue this via the appeal process”.

“The club and committee are pleased that the validity of the contract and consistent views have been validated by the AFL Victoria ruling,” Russell said.

“Given the findings have only recently been communicated, we will not speculate on Caius’s position regarding the remainder of the 2018 season, however the club is very clear in saying that Caius will always be welcomed at the Rokewood-Corindhap Football Netball Club.”

Barrenger, a past Central Highlands Football League senior interleague representative, has been training with the Bombers throughout the pre-season.

He made a comeback from a knee reconstruction late last season and kicked 20 goals from the last four games of the home and away campaign.

This Saturday, the Grasshoppers are at home against Daylesford, while Buninyong hosts Beaufort in one of the blockbuster matches of round four.