Thurgoona coach Brett Doswell uncertain of playing future if 2020 is called off

With the Tallangatta and District league season in serious doubt due to coronavirus restrictions, question marks hang over several of the Bulldogs' elder statesmen.

Doswell, who will turn 37 in 2021, admits pulling on the boots after a year off would be a big ask.

"For these guys, the biggest motivation is trying to keep them playing," Doswell said.

"We're a little bit older than most teams.

"Most of these guys are over 32 and we had three 40-year-olds this year.

"Trying to get those guys to commit to one more season is the biggest challenge.

"I'm in the same boat.

"I'm 36 and I thought I might have been able to play one more year but all of that goes out of the window now, having potentially a year off.

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"A lot of players might call their time prematurely. I hope it doesn't happen, I hope guys get back into it and get the motivation to get going again and keep footy clubs going.

"The biggest worry at the moment is that if we do have a lot of guys retire or go to other sports, that's going to put a lot of strain on clubs. It's very hard to recruit at the moment

"We've got too many football teams for how many football players are around here and it's only going to make things worse if we do have a lot of outgoing players.

"It certainly is something to worry about.

"It's thrown up in the air what I might do and I know, talking to a few of our senior guys, they're in the same boat."

The Bulldogs have won three flags in the last four years but now find themselves at a crossroads with key players Mark Haydon, Aydan Brown, Charlie Williams and Jake Bruce following Lucas Mellier to Hume league club Rand-Walbundrie-Walla.

Forward Josh Maher has retired while ruckman Jamarl O'Sullivan is yet to commit.

"It will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of years at Thurgoona, with our older list," said Doswell.

"Hopefully a couple of guys hang around for the next couple of years, keep those younger guys going and keep the club in the position it's in.

"Everyone knows it's not very hard for a club to fall back down the ladder and these days, it's a lot harder to get yourselves back up.

"With this year (possibly) not happening, we felt we were still in that premiership window and had a good chance to play finals.

"Last year I stuck with the older guys and brought in a couple of mates but now we need to bring in some younger guys to compliment the other ones we have."