Play on if we can, but long term future must be the priority

It's the question all football clubs in all codes must consider as they mull over whether to salvage something from 2020, or concede defeat and focus long term.

There is no doubt the coronavirus pandemic is going to present clubs with financial challenges which will linger well after we've had a few beverages on New Year's Eve.

So if clubs can successfully mount an argument that playing this year would hurt their bottom line significantly enough that it could jeopardise their long term future, there's only one responsible decision to make.

Winter without football is like a pie without sauce (if you disagree, you're just wrong). It doesn't feel right.

But the reason for its existence is for those involved to have fun. And if that isn't the case, doesn't it defeat the purpose?

It depends what viewpoint you want to take.

Temora became the first Group Nine team to withdraw on Friday, and Cootamundra is expected to follow suit this week.

Both teams compete with three other codes for talent and sponsorship in small townships where plenty of residents have lost work and doing it tough financially.

Some may feel the clubs are using the pandemic as a convenient 'out' to pull out, and should be doing more to ensure the integrity of a potential Group Nine competition this year.

Only those involved know that definitively. But personally, I can't begrudge any team who wants to withdraw on the grounds they fear for the club's long term viability if they don't.

Football teams are often the heartbeat of small towns and it's not enjoyable for any sports lover to see grounds remaining empty.

If player disinterest has got to the point where the likes of Temora and Cootamundra feel they can't be competitive, it's probably a waste of time anyway.

They weren't exactly premiership frontrunners anyway, let's be honest, but you still running the risk of a run of humiliating hidings knocking the passion out of young players, who you want to stick around long term.

Having said that, for the teams who genuinely want to play this year we should be doing everything we possibly can to accommodate that.

The entire community is crying out for the social benefits a day at the footy brings, let alone the physical element. If we can make it happen, fantastic.

But all decisions have to put team's long-term survival first. Footy will be back at some stage, we just have to ensure all the clubs will be too.

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