Bears wouldn’t celebrate flag ‘wins’

MARSHALL has gone into bat for Bell Park, claiming penalties handed down to the Dragons for salary cap breaches are “disproportionate”.

Bell Park found an unlikely ally in the Bears, who stand to potentially win two of the three premierships that were stripped from the Dragons for exceeding the professional player regulations.

“I really do sympathise for them,” Marshall president Russell Menzies said.

“I’m also disappointed for Bell Park’s committee, members and supporters.

“They’d be hurting and I’m sure they feel that the punishment is disproportionate to the breach and I somewhat agree.

“However, there are clear rules in place and the GCA must administer these as they stand. Maybe this is something that needs to be addressed in the future.”

Losing the one-day and T20 grand finals to Bell Park in 2019-20, Marshall could now be awarded those premierships, with the GCA to make a decision in the coming weeks.

The Dragons also won the two-day flag, having finished as minor premiers when COVID-19 forced the abandonment of the season.

That flag could go the way of Geelong City, which finished second after the homeand-away season.

“If it is deemed that they (flags) will be awarded to us, they will be placed in our trophy cabinet,” Menzies said.

“And because of the way the season finished in unprecedented circumstances due to the coronavirus, it will be an unforgettable season.

“The rules are in place, and whether they are right or wrong or need to be adjusted, the reality is the GCA have administered the rules as they are written.

“And if the wash up is that we get those cups, we will certainly accept them and they will go on display with all our other cups. It was the first year that three cups were up for grabs in Division 2 and Bell Park created history by winning all three and now there’s another twist to the story.

“They will certainly be talking points, but we won’t be celebrating them, that’s for sure.”