THE focal point of Central West AFL’s annual general meeting on Sunday was the potential of a one-tier competition from 2016 onwards, replacing the current first and reserve grade structure, and the ball was drop punted firmly into the clubs’ hands.

Although the CWAFL board is an independent one that will ultimately make the decision, a directive was given to clubs to provide feedback, and propose how a one-tier competition would function, and what structure it would take.

The decision to revert to a one-tier competition would be based on alleviating the current problem the region faces, in that the Orange Tigers and Bathurst Bushrangers are, and have been for some time, infinitely stronger than the other clubs.

“The one-tier competition is one of several options we have, and it was discussed at length,” CWAFL chair Craig Gale said.

“Obviously the clubs are major stakeholders in the competition so the board will consider feedback from all the clubs ... we’re not a point where a decision will be made yet.”

Reportedly, the Cowra Blues are 100 per cent behind the idea, with the Young Saints the club that originally proposed the one-tier format. The Dubbo Demons and Parkes Panthers are said to have reservations about the idea, but see merit in it, while the Mudgee Black Swans remain struggling for numbers this season, let alone next.

With the Bathurst Bushrangers vehemently against having one larger senior grade, Orange Tigers president Luke Whitton said his club will consider everything on the table before it makes any commitment.

“We’d really like to see some more details regarding the logistics of the proposed one-tier competition, which is what the clubs are now providing,” Whitton explained.

“We have a meeting scheduled for [Wednesday, August 5] where we will discuss it, and come back to the CWAFL board by the seventh. I haven’t spoken to everyone involved, but from the club members I have spoken to the consensus is we wouldn’t support the idea.

“But we need to look at the idea from a holistic point of view and consider where the competition is going, and where it will be next year, or three years down the track.

“Personally, I think a one-tier competition is inevitable, but the structure of it needs to be looked at very closely. There are problems arising from how it would work in terms of travel, and player recruitment, and how the clubs able to field more than one side would approach it.

“If they form two sides as a first grade, better quality team, and a side with the rest of the players, then we’ve done nothing to fix the problem. Obviously there is issues with the current format, and we need to look at how to grow and develop the game in the region.

“It’s a bit of a merry-go-round at the moment, but it’s definitely not a decision to be taken lightly.”