Winchelsea stars want out

Blues, Dolphins locked in contract dispute

WINCHELSEA will review the use of contracts as it finds itself embroiled in controversy as two players seek a move to Lorne.

The move comes as the Blues and Dolphins reached a stalemate over the futures of stars Steve Oliver and Chris Giuricin, who are set to break two-year contracts and move to Lorne.

The clubs met on Thursday night to discuss the pair’s contractual obligations and are no closer to a resolution.

Oliver and Giuricin, who left the Dolphins at the end of the 2013 season to join Winchelsea, have requested a move back to the coastal club.

It is understood they are keen to follow Boe Trickey, Joel and Chris Tipping, Tom Steven and Dan Wedding, who have all played at both clubs, back to junior club Lorne.

Winchelsea president Daniel Greskie said the Blues were prepared to release Oliver and Giuricin, but only if Lorne meets certain requirements, which he chose not to disclose.

“We’re open minded. We don’t want to see people miss out on a year in footy,” Greskie said.

“We’re a bit disappointed with their decision but it’s up to them (Lorne) now.”

It is understood Lorne is seeking advice from AFL Barwon on the matter.

“I’m not prepared to comment on the particular situation with the players because we’re in confidential discussions that have no conclusion,” Dolphins treasurer Clive Goldsworthy said.

Lorne was gutted before the start of last season’s campaign, losing an entire team of players, including eight to Winchelsea.

The Dolphins slipped from premier to the depths of the CDFL ladder and was forced to rebuild.

But Greskie was adamant his club played no part in decimating its former rival.

“It wasn’t a case of going out and recruiting eight Lorne players,” Greskie said.

Greskie said Oliver and Giuricin’s decision to leave came as a surprise.

“They loved their time at Winch and they still came on our footy trip in November, so it was a late decision to go”.

Greskie said the fallout would prompt the Blues to review contracts in the future.

“We’ll have a look at it and change a few things,” he said.

“We’ll look at what we can do better, but this has come out of left field. It happened a week before pre-season and it’s hard to replace quality players.

“Right now, I feel a contract doesn’t mean much. You want players to fulfil their part of the contract but at the end of the day if a player says he doesn’t want to play for you, it’s pretty tough.”