Albury have been given until August 7 to return the field or forgo their place in the Southern Inland competition this season.
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The Steamers have declared they will not field sides until Victorian lockdown ends due to the significant impact it has on their player ranks.
Their three games scheduled against Waratahs on Saturday will be declared scoreless draws, and if the lockdown extends again next week so will their round 16 fixtures with Ag College.
However if the lockdown is not ended before their double points showdown with Wagga City they will no longer be eligible to compete.
Southern Inland president Warwick Grant believes it is the best solution to the complex situation.
"We're trying to be as fair as we can while still looking at the possibility Albury makes it back into the competition and trying not to disadvantage them too much or disadvantage the other clubs," Grant said.
"We've looked at it and don't think this decision will affect the placings too much."
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Southern Inland's top-four final series will start on August 21.
Albury's first grade side currently sits in fourth place while their women's side are third. If they can't compete in finals their place will be taken by the team who finishes fifth.
Steamers president Mick Raynes believes the Southern Inland board has come to a fair decision.
It's one he hopes can pave a way for their involvement in the business end of the season.
"We think it is quite reasonable," Raynes said.
"Having the matches called off for reasons out of our control called draws is fair and reasonable and giving the whole competition until the second last round to deal with that is equitable for everyone involved."
Raynes believes two weeks would be enough time to prepare for finals.
"I think it has been quite well thought out," he said.
Tumut can close the gap on the Steamers, which sits at three points, when they tackle CSU at Beres Ellwood Oval on Saturday.
The clash between Griffith and Ag College completes the round with Waratahs now having a third straight bye.