GROUP Three secretary Barrie Smith has no doubt the length of the season contributed to the spate of forfeits that marred the latter part of this year’s competition.
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In the last few weeks of the competition-proper Taree City, Macleay Valley and Forster-Tuncurry were forced to forfeit reserve grade or under 18s. Earlier Port City withdrew from under 18s.
Group Three clubs opted for an 18 match season for 2016 at last November’s annual meeting. No free weekends were slotted into the draw. Mr Smith and Wingham delegate Craig Martin both warned at the time the competition would be too long. Both have since been vindicated.
Mr Smith said clubs these days don’t have enough players for an 18 week season, particularly if they have injury problems. Players also struggle to maintain enthusiasm if their side is out of semi-final contention.
Macleay Valley had only a handful of senior players for the clash against Wingham on August 6, with the Mustangs forfeiting reserve grade and losing 86-18 in first grade. The club bounced back to field a reserve the following week against Forster-Tuncurry at Kempsey, however, the Hawks were battling for players in reserve grade.
Mr Smith said Macleay’s problems were exacerbated by changes in the rejigged draw caused by the postponement of matches on July 2 because of wet weather.
Mr Smith said the competition has to accommodate the weaker clubs as well as the stronger.
“The top three get all the kudos, but the struggling clubs are just as important, or more important. They have to be looked after’’ Mr Smith emphasised.
However, Mr Smith pointed out that first grade wooden spooners Old Bar met commitments in all grades this season.
“Old Bar were fantastic,’’ he said.
“And if they'd had a bit of luck with goal kicking they would have gone close to making the first grade semi-finals.’’
He believes a two round competition with a free weekends slotted in is the perfect fit for the group.
Group Three has played a pre-season for the past four years but this isn’t set in concrete for 2017.
“Some clubs don’t like the pre-season because it doesn’t involve the whole club. They’d rather organise their own trials,’’ Mr Smith said.
“The pre-season could be put on the back burner next year.’’
Mr Smith said the length of next season will be determined by clubs at next November’s annual meeting. He’ll be strongly recommending a two round competition and he believes he will have support in clubland.
Meanwhile it’s semi-final time in Group Three with elimination matches at the Jack Neal Oval tomorrow and preliminary games at Wingham Sporting Complex on Sunday.