Great Northern pulls senior men’s team from this year’s country week carnival due to financial constraints

Great Northern has withdrawn its senior men’s country week side from this year’s carnival, stating financial reasons and lack of sponsorships as key barriers in preventing them from returning this season. It comes following a league-wide financial audit which revealed the GNFL did not retain the same sponsorship levels for the men’s side as it did last season. This year, the side would have competed in division two after being bumped from division one last year, with the intention to send a development squad. However, since discovering it was not possible, the league has informed Country Football WA of its decision to withdraw altogether. GNFL president Grant Russell said the league was taking necessary steps back to move forward. “We were taking a step back and saying ‘let’s go a development team’. Unfortunately, we’re saying we can’t quite afford to do that this year and do it properly,” he said. “There’s no point if we can’t send a fully funded side properly. There’s no point in doing it half-hearted. Therefore we decided not to attend. “We will regroup and go back better and stronger and hopefully attract the marquee players as well for next season.” Russell also said the clubs have supported the decision, giving the league a mandate to “hold fire for 12 months.” Great Northern is currently in the process of rebuilding relationships with sponsors, with goal of returning next season and competing in division two. As a long-time trainer and country week attendee of 25 years, Russell said although a sad call, it was a necessary one to make. “I’m a very big fan and supporter of country week,” he said. “I’m actually quite devastated by the news. However, being an accountant by trade, this is the prudent management to it to move forward for the current season.” Russell has confirmed Great Northern will still field women’s and colts sides this year, having acquired the necessary sponsors. “They’re comfortable and able to go fully resourced and and supplied with all their necessary equipment and kits that they do need,” he said. “They should be very positive and very successful carnivals, we hope.”