Rival Farrer League clubs have applauded Coleambally's decision to withdraw from competition this season, labeling it a brave and gutsy call, amid rising concern about the viability of a season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Blues decided on Wednesday to pull out of the shortened season, citing safety concerns for players, supporters and their community, and the prospect of new government restrictions.
Their decision followed that of Barellan reducing the Farrer League to seven teams, at best.
They may not be the last.
The Rock-Yerong Creek declined to comment on their commitment to the season, ahead of training and a meeting tonight.
"I can't comment at the moment but we're training tonight," co-president Mark 'Sol' Driscoll said.
The Magpies have had safety reservations all year but reluctantly agreed to play to support the other clubs in the league. They then were set to benefit from an influx of players from the border.
However, they'll be hard hit by the ban on Victorian players, not to mention the NSW government declaration telling people not to travel between Albury and Wagga.
The other club that was set to benefit from border signings, the Northern Jets, remain keen to play - provided the limits on public gatherings aren't reduced - but also backed the clubs that don't.
"It was a gutsy decision by Coleambally and they've got my full support," Jets president Simon Gaynor said.
"I'm happy that they made that decision. They've made a decision they feel is in the best interest of their players and their community.
"At the moment, we're day-by-day. We want to give footy a a chance and we're keen to play.
"Our main priority is our community - that has to come first. We still want to play footy but only if we can do it safely. We will stay keen to play but we can make the call not to at any time if it's not safe."
Gaynor said they're more than happy to fit in with whatever the government and AFL Riverina guidelines require regarding players travelling from the border.
"It's great players have been keen to come back and have a game but if they're in areas that aren't allowed to travel, then we definitely won't be bringing them in," Gaynor said.
Marrar president John Carroll said an environment of tightening restrictions changes the landscape, and will watch with interest whether the NSW government moves to reduce the limit on gatherings at local sport below 500, which would end clubs' support for a season.
"I think it could be taken out of our hands and out of AFL Riverina's hands," Carroll said.
"If they cut it to less than 500 I can't see it happening."
Carroll said any further club withdrawals would make it difficult to proceed.
East Wagga-Kooringal president Steve Absolum said they're still preparing for a trial match against Coolamon this weekend and a round one game at Temora in nine days but said playing football will never be the priority.
"Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our players, supporters and volunteers. Their welfare takes precedence over everything else," Absolum said.
"Yes players want to play but we also have to take into account everything else as well. The financial impact of a short season on the club, especially if not all clubs have firsts and reserves or 17s.
"It's still going to cost clubs a fair bit of money to run an eight-week season and we have to thing if it's worth it. I'm also worried about the brand of the Farrer League and the damage we could do to it.
"We want to play as much as anyone, but this is a unique situation. I don't know the right answer. And the landscape is changing day by day and hour by hour.
"Good on Coleambally. They made a brave decision. And Barellan too. No-one wants to pull the pin but they've put the safety of their players and community first and I say well done to them for making a hard decision for their own club."
Temora co-president Peter Gerhard said the Kangaroos certainly feel it's now a watch-this-space scenario.
"We're waiting to see what happens. We're hanging in there. The boys are still keen to have a run but there's a lot more to take into account," Gerhard said.
"With all the player transfers that were going ont, it was probably getting a bit unfair on some clubs who couldn't get tap into that. It was getting to be a bit of a mixed-up comp."
North Wagga president Brendan Nilsen said the season has been a roller-coaster of emotion for officials and players alike.
"With all the unknowns now, for me it boils down to only one thing - it's community safety first," Nilsen said.
"It's been highs and lows all along and it will be a shame if we can't play if only because I saw last week the look on people's faces when our juniors came back to training. It's a release for them and sport is important for mental health. But it has to be safe."
The Saints had put hours into their Covid-19 safety plan and Nilsen said they were taking extremely seriously the responsibility of ensuring a safe environment.
They've told players who live in Albury or the border regions not to come to training this week while they wait to see what unfolds next.
MORE SPORTS NEWS right here