Coleambally and Barellan join forces to field a combined under 17.5 team in Farrer League

The Coleambally-Barellan Three Blues will ensure young players at both clubs get the opportunity to play football.

It also gives the Farrer League a five-team competition in the under 17.5s, amid worrying signs for football with East Wagga-Kooringal and The Rock-Yerong Creek unable to field sides (and Charles Sturt University doesn't play under 17.5s).

Coleambally president Glen Tooth said they were just short of a full complement of players and clubman Danny Graham has done a power of work to get a team.

It's fantastic," Tooth said.

"We really missed having the 17s in 2018 and '19. There was a bit of gap (in juniors coming through) and we just couldn't quite bridge that gap so some kids have been playing at other towns."

The Blues had tried searching for excess players elsewhere who might have been looking for a game before instead deciding to work in tandem with the Two Blues.

"Danny Graham has taken it on and organised it all and done a good job with Barellan. It's good for the comp and it's good for our two little clubs to be represented," Tooth said.

Barellan were more than happy to help out, as they haven't been in a position to consider fielding 17.5s since their return to the Farrer League in 2015.

"Absolutely, anything that can help give our locals a go at footy is a good thing," Two Blues president Jeff Mickan said.

The 17.5s play a different draw to seniors but will marry up home games where possible, at Coleambally or Barellan.

"We're very supportive of Coleambally and Barellan joining forces to put a team in the Farrer League," AFL Riverina competitions manager Tom Walker said.

"It's a great result for both clubs to see their under 17s stepping up to a senior footy club for the first time in a few years."

Marrar, North Wagga, Temora and the Northern Jets are the other teams.

The Farrer League had hoped for a six-team comp last year, with TRYC and the Hawks both intending to play all three grades before COVID struck.

The Hawks were runners up in the age group in 2019.

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