Ray McLarty
COROWA-Rutherglen president Ray McLarty yesterday revealed the Roos had held a crisis meeting with the VCFL and neighbouring clubs but has dismissed concerns the club will not field an under-18 team this year.
Delegates from Corowa-Rutherglen met members from Wahgunyah, Rutherglen and CDHBU at a meeting this month to discuss with area manager John O’Donohue why the region was struggling to retain junior players.
There had been speculation the Roos would not field a team in the Ovens and Murray’s thirds competition this season, but McLarty assured that would not be the case.
But he did say it was far from smooth sailing at John Foord Oval on the junior front.
“I think we’ve found there’s no doubt the clubs in our district have a shortage of numbers at that age,” McLarty said.
“All the club’s are struggling and it’s an issue for all of us.
“It’s a concern for clubs in all country towns, really.
“It is a struggle each year to survive.”
The Roos have won the wooden spoon in the league’s under-18’s competition for the past three years and won just six games in that period.
McLarty said even though numbers were an issue and they have had no more than 20 players at preseason training, the Roos would field a thirds team.
Meanwhile, Corowa-Rutherglen has added another Queanbeyan player to its senior playing stocks.
Sean Kelly, 23, joins the club after playing under new coach Adrian Pavese at the Canberra-based club last year.
The Lakes Entrance product will travel to John Foord Oval each week with fellow recruits Brett Fruend and Kaeden Watts.
Kelly attended the club’s training camp at Lake Hume last week
