The smattering of Farrer League players popping up at clubs in the AFL Riverina Championship is one of the intriguing elements of this year's competition.
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After three clubs opted out of the Farrer League and then the other six decided against a last-minute switch to a new amalgamated competition, dozens of still-keen players were left without a game.
Marrar coach Shane Lenon is more than happy to see his Bombers players in different colours.
"I think it's fantastic, they're all performing well. But they were in really good shape... we said from day dot that we'd prepare as if we were playing," Lenon said.
Marrar captain Jackson Moye is a starting midfielder for Turvey Park (under Charles Sturt University's Jack Thompson in the ruck and in a team featuring East Wagga-Kooringal recruit Alex Rogers).
Bombers young guns Jack Reynolds and Rhys Mooney are at Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes and have just been joined by Zach Walgers, and more emerging Bombers are spread throughout lower grades.
Drew Beavan found a home at Wagga Tigers, where he came off the bench last week and was tasked with shutting down Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong's Lou Miller who had three goals.
"They put Drew on to Louie Miller and he did a really good job. He played a big part in that outcome of that game," Lenon said.
Reynolds has impressed in his two games at MCUE and was named the Goannas' best in their win against Osborne last week.
"We communicate all the time and they're after feedback. It's good to still stay in touch. And it's a strong comp, it's good footy," Lenon said.
From other clubs, Northern Jet Jeromy Lucas is making waves at Leeton-Whitton, Coleambally co-coach Curtis Steele is back at Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, Hawks' defender Tim Smith is also back at MCUE.
The standard of football will help broaden a player's education.
"The fact that they're getting a bit of footy I think is going to help with their development and you'd hope they'd come back and you benefit from them playing this year which helps them for next year as well," Lenon said.
But for some, the question of next year may not be easily answered when players have settled in to a new team and comp.
"That's a fair call. I think the clubs that are still playing will have a benefit from that," Lenon said.
"We're lucky. All the blokes playing at other clubs from Marrar have re-committed already for next year."
The Bombers playing group was keen on the Championship after a pre-season practice match on what was going to be the last weekend before a competition. Two days later a Marrar club meeting went the other way.
"We played Collingullie in the trial game on the Saturday and we actually beat Collingullie and then the club had a meeting on the Tuesday, with volunteers and committee and supporters, and decided against going ahead, which is fair enough. There's no right or wrong answer in this," Lenon said.
"But in saying that, the players were keen. Once we made the decision not to go ahead, they love their footy and you want them playing footy. I think it's fantastic."
Lenon has been to see a couple of games and is impressed with the standard.
"That competition is not a true indication of the competition because so many good players have come from other clubs. But in saying that, it's made it a really strong comp. With only six sides in, it's a ripping little comp."