Michael Warner
August 12, 2009 12:00am
A COUNTRY footy champ has been rubbed out for five years after a sting discovered he was rigging the votes in a best-and-fairest count.
Mirboo North star Joe Bordanaro, a three-time league B & F winner, was sensationally exposed on video tape on Channel Nine news last night as he raided offices where the votes are kept.
Bordanaro is seen returning 20 minutes later placing the altered votes in the original envelope, giving himself votes as best or second-best player on the ground.
It is believed he used liquid paper to tamper with the votes after Mirboo North's eight home matches this season.
Bordanaro - the winner of the Mid Gippsland Football League reserves grade medal in 2005, 2006 and 2008 - made his move after each match as the umpires' votes were taken to a back office.
Suspicious club officials set up a camera and reported their shock findings to MGFL officials, who suspended him this week for five years.
League secretary Rod Lucas said he'd never seen anything like it.
"He'd come into the secretary's room, take them out, alter them and bring them back in," he said.
Mirboo North president Andrew Taylor last night refused to discuss the saga that has rocked the Gippsland town.
"No comment. This club does not want to get involved," Taylor told the Herald Sun before hanging up.
But a long-time Mirboo North supporter who asked not to be named said Bordanaro was a good bloke who'd made a big mistake.
"You don't get away with much at Mirboo North," he said. "It's all a bit of a shame for the fella really.
"It's been around the town for a few days."
Bordanaro could not be contacted but was said to be an "emotional wreck".
