Former Group Nine All Stars coach Nick Skinner has backed having a fresh date for the pre-season event.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The annual clash between the Group Nine All Stars and Indigenous All Stars is in limbo due to a lack of player support.
Group Nine announced the annual clash, plus the accompanying women’s tackle game, will not be played this weekend with the possibility of it being played later in the season.
Round eight was suggested as an alternative date but nothing has been locked in yet.
Skinner coached the team to a 28-all draw in the Reconciliation Cup last year but was set to miss out this year due to a family commitment.
However the two-time Southcity premiership winning coach found it difficult to get players to commit.
“Obviously there is some issues there with getting players,” Skinner said.
“I know last year I found it quite difficult.
“You pick a team and it ends up being pretty far off the team you picked with blokes not being able to play.”
He thought the timing of the clash made it difficult with players having various other pre-season commitments.
He believes a new date will help the concept attract more players.
“People have a lot of other things going on with their own trials and other commitments,” Skinner said.
“I think it will work better having it later down the track.
“I guess they have to try a few different things as the concept of the game is really good.
“I’m a supporter of it but they need more commitment from other people to make sure it actually works a bit better.”
The clash was the last representative game left open to senior players following the change to the Country Championships format with under 23s were brought in last season
The Indigenous All Stars are unbeaten in six matches against the Group Nine All Stars.