RIVERINA Lions stalwart Amy Coote says the club's demotion to AFL Canberra's second division could prompt them to weigh up the value of playing next season.
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The situation, combined with the fact many Canberra rivals have forfeited games against the Lions this season, has prompted about half a dozen players to join Canberra first grade clubs in search of better opportunities.
AFL Canberra introduced criteria a couple of seasons ago which requires teams competing in the women's first grade competition to be affiliated with a men's side.
It means the Lions have been left to languish in reserve grade, robbing local players of the chance to press their claims for representative teams.
"There's a lot of work that goes into getting the team together, to travel to Canberra and it's a large cost to the club," Coote said.
"If we don't have the additional players to play in the community comp, then personally I don't see much point in the club continuing.
"We've tried many times to get back into the premier league, but they have a criteria where they want a certain amount of women's and men's teams.
"We've had a lot of forfeits this year. Not from our end, the Canberra teams just don't seem to want to travel."
Coote said players have no option but to join Canberra teams if they have aspirations of playing at the elite level.
"There's now no pathway to AFL through the Lions here. If you're not playing in the premier league you're not being looked at for representative teams," she said.
"To me it's a social comp and most of the girls don't want to play social football, they've now chosen to go and play for Canberra clubs in the premier league.
"You can't blame the girls for it, they've got more of an opportunity to progress in the sport if they play for those teams.
"We've been in the comp for 18 years and have played finals footy for most of those. It's pretty sad for the girls."
A number of Lions played for East Wagga Kooringal in the AFL Southern NSW league early this year, which Coote coached, and she expects more to make the jump next season.
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