Chiltern revival

by PAUL DAFFEY

The Chiltern Football Club, which voted to wind up rather than fight a lawsuit, has changed its mind. More than 70 members voted unanimously to keep the north-east Victorian club alive after legal representatives offered their services free of charge.

Queen's Counsel Henry Jolson, a judge on the International Court of Arbitration for Sport, and Queen Street legal firm Lewis Walker have waived fees relating to Chiltern's battle against former Moyhu player Shane Wohlers.

Wohlers is claiming damages after former Chiltern assistant coach Paul Hodgkin broke his jaw in two places in May 2000. Hodgkin last year was fined $7000 after pleading guilty to assault charges arising from matches against Glenrowan, King Valley and Moyhu early in the 2000 season.

Chiltern members believed the club was liable for $80,000 in damages when they voted to wind up on November 7. The three members out of 45 who rejected the decision, which was prompted by the refusal of insurance company Jardines to accept liability for payments arising from an assault, included Des Lappin, the club games record-holder and father of Carlton forward Matthew.

Chiltern made an offer of reconciliation to Wohlers but the offer was refused.

"It was an offer I thought the club could afford," Shelley said.

About 120 supporters filed into Chiltern social rooms for the meeting and the decision to continue clears the way for the Swans to plan for their first season in the in the Tallangatta and District Football League.

The club played in the Ovens and Murray league for five decades before transferring to the Tallangatta competition last month. Hodgkin has played for Tallangatta league club Dederang-Mount Beauty the past two seasons.

Shelley rejected claims from Wohler's lawyer, Terence O'Riain from Albury firm Border Attorneys, that Chiltern had failed to apologise to Wohlers.

"We've shown our condolences to Shane Wohlers," he said. "It's on the public record."

He said the Swans had been unable to reach Wohlers to apologise directly.

O'Riain said yesterday: "We are looking forward to a mediation and to resolving this."

Wohlers coached Moyhu last year before taking the role of reserves coach at Wangaratta Rovers for the 2002 season.

australianrules.com.au

Disclaimer