EAST Wagga-Kooringal have become the latest Farrer League club to officially call it quits for 2020, adamant playing this season doesn't pass the 'risk versus reward' test.
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Hawks president Steve Absolum confirmed the decision was made after the club convened on Saturday, with the vast majority not interested in playing.
AFL Riverina will meet on Monday night to discuss a potential combined league between Farrer League and Riverina League clubs.
East Wagga-Kooringal join Barellan, Coleambally and The-Rock-Yerong Creek as Farrer League teams officially opting not to play in 2020 after the Farrer League season was cancelled.
Other Farrer League club presidents contacted by The Daily Advertiser on Sunday were keen for AFL Riverina to take the decision out of club's hands.
With coronavirus cases now reported in Albury, Canberra and Sydney the past week, Absolum said the football community has a responsibility to put the community's health first.
"You've got to have a duty of care for your club and your volunteers," Absolum said.
"I said to my blokes I'm quite happy to sit in the pub and in two weeks' time you can argue with me on why we didn't play, but I'd rather have that conversation then who is going to one of our older volunteers' funeral.
"We've pulled the pin, there's nothing really to be gained. You use your volunteers up and it's still going to cost money to play those games, and most of our players have expressed they've lost interest.
"I think if they get something going, a couple of games in it may be canned. I think it's easier to pull the pin and start preparing for next season."
Absolum said it would be easiest if the decision was taken away from clubs.
"They just need to pull the pin and it saves everyone (having to make a decision)," he said.
"I commend clubs like Coleambally for pulling out, they're doing the right thing by their footy club and you can't begrudge them that.
"Footy is not just about the game, it's socialising and having a few beers together, and it's got to be fun otherwise people will lose interest real quick."
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