An outcome to the club’s appeal to it being accepted into the Maryborough Castlemaine and District Football Netball League, which was initially rejected by the MCDFNL clubs, was expected on Friday afternoon but has now been postponed to November 2.

In late-September the majority of MCDFNL clubs took a vote with approximately 90 per cent of the vote rejecting the inclusion of Smythesdale.

AFL Goldfields general manager Rod Ward said the reason for the delay was to give the commission a chance to discuss with the MCDFNL clubs the reasons behind their emphatic call.

Ward said the commission respected the MCDFNL club’s decision, but remained steadfast in its mantra of maintaining sustainable clubs.

“We’re going to be seeking a further meeting with the MCDFNL executive next week to discuss the reasons for club’s preference for Smythesdale not to be admitted, just to discuss those issues further before the commission can make a final decision,” Ward told The Courier.

“The AFL Goldfields commission respects the reasons raised by the MCDFNL clubs...however, it’s also our preference to see the club continue as a sustainable club.”

Smythesdale president John Cranny said the club was disappointed to still be without an answer.

He said it was becoming difficult to keep players invested the longer the uncertainty lasted – Smythesdale is eagerly awaiting next week’s decision.

“It’s a bit frustrating, but what can we do,” Cranny said.

“We’re disappointed a decision hasn’t been made, but we’re looking forward to one being made next week so we can get on with it.”

Cranny said it was the club’s intention to field a team in some capacity regardless of the decision, but was “pinning all their hopes on” being accepted into the MCDFNL.

“It is (our aim to field a team somewhere)...but each time these delays happen, you can’t make a guarantee to players.”

Ward understood the club’s disappointment in the delay, but felt an extra few days of due diligence was the right call in the overall picture.

“Smythesdale would love to have an answer today and they’d love to be able to appoint a coach tomorrow and look forward to next year with excitement.

“But in terms of their future, we don’t think a delay of a few more days – while it’s frustrating – they’d prefer that than having their appeal rejected last night.”

Following the non-decision, Smythesdale has moved its annual general meeting back a week to November 12.