Workload queried as rep stars prepare for same day back up

Elwin, who is the Riverina under 23s captain, will line up in the second round of the Country Championship at Harris Park at 12.10pm on Saturday before joining teammate Hayden Philp and travelling across to Temora to play Junee.

There were numerous attempts to move the game to Sunday but the Diesels were determined to play on Saturday.

A compromise was found with a later timeslot of 4.30pm.

It should enable Elwin and Philp enough time to play for the Dragons however the quick turn has left the star half frustrated.

“It is very poorly thought about,” Elwin said.

Elwin said it was frustrating having to back up two days in a row last week, and the even shorter gap has only made it worse.

He believes it is something that should be looked into.

“It’s a bit ironic that I was reading an article in a newspaper where NRL players were blowing up about golden point as it creates an extra 10 minutes to the game and that’s 90 minutes and we have to play 160 minutes on Saturday,” he said.

“I think there should be a bit of a question towards duty of care of players anyway.

“We are doing our best to help out Group Nine and play in both games on the one weekend and this is what we get in return.

“It is a bit gut wrenching."

The Temora captain-coach will be ineligible to play next season but admitted he wouldn’t put his hand up again due to the heavy work.

“I wouldn’t do it to myself again,” Elwin said.

“I grew up loving Group Nine but when it comes to a time like this you think is the rep footy really worth it.

“I walked off Campbelltown Stadium last week absolutely spent after playing a hard game of rep footy and getting bashed all time and we are expected to jump in the car and play a full game of first grade footy.

“I think they have to look after their rep players a lot better in future. 

“Hopefully this is a bit of a wake up call for them.”