Smythesdale president Dave Tuohy is confident the Bulldogs will play a part in the Central Highlands Football League this season.
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Tuohy said progress had been made on increasing the senior player stocks – the key to the Bulldogs playing in the CHFL and CHNL this year – since a crisis meeting on Monday night.
He said numbers had grown from a desperately low 22 to 28, with an indication there more coming on board.
Tuohy said recess had been a real option for the club going into Monday night’s gathering, attended by about 100 people, but the situation was now much more promising.
He emphasised though it was still a work in progress, with the CHFL board allowing Smythesdale more time before having to confirm its on-field structure.
Tuohy said a senior football player group would meet on Friday night to continue the rebuilding process.
This will be followed by more formal talks between Smythesdale, CHFL, Golden Plains shire and AFL Goldfields on Monday.
The CHFL board of management met with a Smythesdale delegation comprising Tuohy, secretary Josh Mercer and senior coach Stephen Frys on Wednesday night.
Tuohy said the CHFL had been most supportive.
CHFL manager Diane Ryan said the last thing the board wanted was to see was Smythesdale go into recess.
She said there was no doubt that Monday’s “crisis” meeting, which laid the future of the Bulldogs on the line, had given the greater club community a shake up.
Ryan said the gathering had sparked a positive response on all fronts.
She said while no firm deadline had been set for Smythesdale to finalise its structure, this could not be left too long given clubs needed reasonable notice ahead of the start of the season on Saturday, April 1.
The development of a strategy ensuring the long-term viability of the club will take another step forward when the CHFL, Smythesdale and Golden Plains shire meet next Monday.
CHFL president Eddie Comelli, vice-president Doug Hobson, board member Paul Rogan and Ryan also met with the shire and Sport and Recreation Victoria on Wednesday.