Club president Frank Lawler said previous concerns about an exorbitant increase in ground fees, possibly up to $20,000, were allayed when council met last week and voted on the status quo.

The fees, however, will be reviewed for the new financial year.

Lawler said a 70/30 split in canteen takings between the Pickers and council  from the Elels and Knights clash last month has also held the club in good stead for the start of the 2018 footy season.

He said the Pickers will also continue running the canteen. The club feared the canteen would be taken over by contractors, resulting in a loss of about $40,000.

“I think someone is finally listening to us and have started to realise that we would have been struggling,” Lawler said. “I’m really hoping things don’t change when council reviews the situation. The way it is at present is perfect for us.

“Obviously there is a groundswell of support within the community and I think those at the top who make the financial decisions now understand that we can’t remain viable if further charges are imposed and the canteen is taken out of our control.”

Lawler said the club, from a financial perspective, looks promising with the takings from the Eels/Knights game a blessing. 

“We’re starting the season with cash in the bank which saves us battling week to week,” he said. “We don’t have to be the richest club in the comp, just financially stable.”

Council officers will review the ground fees for the next financial year in April before it is put to councillors for a vote at a later date.