mmg.com.au

One of Goulburn Valley Football League premier Tatura’s star VFL recruits is awaiting the result of an AFL Victoria hearing last Thursday that could threaten his Bulldogs career.

The News has chosen not to disclose the nature of the hearing, but it has to do with newcomer Rian McGough’s time at VFL club Casey Scorpions.

Tatura vice-president Denis Flett, who is also involved in contracts and development at the club, said McGough was honest with Bulldogs officials about the situation since they first came into contact.

McGough, a star midfielder, joined Tatura in November along with ex-Scorpions teammates James Wall and Ben Waite.

‘‘There’s a matter Rian has made aware to me, which I have since made confidentially aware to the board,’’ Flett said.

‘‘We’re really not in a position to divulge any factual information until there is information provided from the hearing he attended.

‘‘He has advised me and confided in me the nature of it and he did that for us to make independent judgments about his character and we did do that.

‘‘It might surprise you, but we do due diligence with all the people we recruit to the extent we’re able to and we use a number of ways to do that.’’

AFL Victoria spokesman Anthony Stanguts said an outcome from the hearing may not be known for a few weeks and up to a month.

McGough has done most of his pre-season training in Melbourne, but attended the Bulldogs’ recent camp at Ulupna Island, near Strathmerton.

Tatura senior team manager Cam Pratt listed McGough’s clearance, but Flett said club officials had since decided to cancel it.

‘‘It may prove to be a trivial matter in the long run, but we just thought it was better to withdraw it and the system has a memory that shows that,’’ Flett said.

‘‘But in no way has (McGough) hidden anything. He’s kept things in perspective for us and until there is an outcome from the hearing, we’re in a position to respect the confidentiality he’s requested.

‘‘When there is a result there will be factual information available which won’t be hearsay (and) won’t be speculative in nature and will be a reality.’’