mmg.com.au

The ongoing saga surrounding Tongala Football Club’s jumper could be resolved as early as this afternoon, according to Murray Football League general manager Dale Norman.

Rival clubs Numurkah and Finley formally objected to a league executive-approved new design, on the basis it clashed with their own predominantly navy blue and white colours.

This prompted a recent mediation hearing between the clubs and the league, where Tongala agreed to submit a different design.

‘‘We spoke to Numurkah, Finley and Tongala at the same time and we came up with an alternative,’’ Norman said.

‘‘They came to the table, they outlined their grievances and what they wanted and were willing to compromise, all three parties.

‘‘Hopefully within the next 24 hours we’ll come to a suitable outcome and have a design they’ll be wearing for 2013.’’

The issue first arose when the club joined the league in 2006 and was given a recommendation to redesign its jumper to avoid a clash with founding member club Numurkah, with which it shares colours and the ‘‘Blues’’ nickname.

In recent seasons Tongala has often worn a light blue alternative strip.

Norman said the new design was likely to incorporate that colour as well as some of the club’s traditional navy blue.

He said the league executive would continue to involve clubs in the process and had shown it was ‘‘willing to listen’’ to concerns.

‘‘(Numurkah and Finley) did (formally object to the original design) and that’s fair enough, we’re willing to hear clubs out,’’ he said.

‘‘If a league goes setting out rules and regulations and saying ‘this is what’s got to be done and this is how you’re going to do it’, you’re on course for trouble, so as an executive we’re willing to listen and compromise with clubs on certain rulings.

‘‘I can understand where they’re coming from, it’s an emotional issue, it’s their brand and their colours.

‘‘Tongala are designing it and getting the colours, so we’ve left it in their hands and as (the design) comes through we’re forwarding it to all clubs for a discussion.’’