Border sport's voices of reason in a drama-filled 2020 for all codes

"He's the equal of anyone I've coached at the same age," Border golf coach John Rogers on Albury rising star Sam Bakes.

We spoke to the umpire, two coaches, the parents and the children themselves before allowing play to proceed ... if it got too bad, common sense came into play and we called it off. At no point, in our opinion, did we put any child at risk," Cricket Albury Wodonga chairman Michael Erdeljac vigorously defended the decision to play Country Week matches in the region's heavy smoke haze in January.

"That's what his life's got to, from all his football achievements, he's got to a lonely life of beating his poor old 78-year-old father and 48-year-old brother," Justin Bone on brother and O and M life member Simon's albatross on the golf course.

"Mr Musakanda's behaviour is not representative of the values we hold dear at the New City Cricket Club," New City president Chris Green New City following the decision to sack Zimbabwean import Tarisai Musakanda after he was convicted for drink driving.

"There were 20-metre high flames everywhere you looked and the way it rolled over the hills was something I won't forget," Cudgewa president Greg Hillier on the devastating bushfires which threatened to destroy his football club's oval.

"I think people have been quick to forget that I put in $100,000 plus in payments which helped secure Aker as well as other payments," Allan Endresz offered to pay $30,000 in outstanding sponsorship money to the North Albury Football Club.

"Obviously we are extremely disappointed," Albury president Stuart Hodgson after players from the club were kicked out of an Upper Murray caravan park in February for engaging in anti-social behaviour.

"Part of it was because I was sinking a bunch of energy into what felt like a black hole," Murray United foundation player Sean Pye on stepping away from the NPL club before it was eventually forced to pull the pin on its senior program.

ALSO IN SPORT:

"We're happy to maintain our amateur status and we're quite proud we've continued to do that," Melrose president David Pye on Wangaratta's bold recruitment strategy.

"It's going to be tough for everybody," Hume league president Brendan I'Anson after the announcement all of the reigon's football competitions would be postponed until May 31 due to COVID-19.

"At the time the decision was made (Tuesday) we had four days before the grand final and that is, as far as I'm aware, enough time to test for the virus." North Albury Cricket Club president Chris Barrott launched a spirited defence after Wodonga was awarded the CAW premiership as the higher ranked team.

"This is a perilous situation that the club finds itself in," Albury Racing Club chief Steve Hetherton on the Albury Gold Cup going ahead without a crowd.

"We had people today that were crying as they were coming out the door," Adrenaline Boxing and Conditioning co-owner Kade Brown after the forced closure of his gym due to COVID-19 rules.

"It's been hanging over my head for more than 12 months and you try not to let it get to you," Wodonga trainer Craig Widdison was disqualified for two years after pleading guilty to administering, or causing to be administered a prohibited substance to stable star Cash Crisis.

"As bad as it sounds, it's probably not a bad year to do it," Elijah Hollands on not missing a game of football with an ACL injury due to the pandemic.

"I thought about retirement all the time ... give it away after that first grand final against Albury," Lavington's Adam Butler revealed he almost called it quits in 2015 before playing in the 2019 flag win.

"He got up a bit slow and turned and looked at me and I just said: "I'm no good mate.", Hawthorn's Jacob Kozchitzke after he suffered a grade five shoulder injury in a clash with teammate Mat Walker in an intra-club match.

"I think this could fix country footy ... guys will play for the enjoyment of the game again," an O and M player when quizzed if he would play for free.

"It might not be a good idea to play footy because it might break us," Wodonga president Mauro Stefani had concerns about the O and M season going ahead.

"They are making jokes about the Albury City Council on Sydney radio today and we have become a bit of a laughing stock around the country to be completely honest," former Albury Thunder coach Josh Cale on Albury council's decision to prevent Melbourne Storm from using its facilities.

"I don't think this off-field issue should be used to create or generate any sort of additional on-field rivalry," Wangaratta Rovers president Wally Pasquali said a photo posted to Facebook of his club allegedly in breach of COVID-19 training protocols by a Wangaratta player hadn't damaged the relationship between the fierce rivals.

"We knocked back the highest bidder on Tuesday and that offer was well over $1 million," co-owner of Front Page Paul Duryea on the gut-wrenching decision to not part ways with his star galloper.

"They are pretty much the scum of the earth to me," Albury trainer Mitch Beer revealed he was a victim of a torrent of online abuse after well-backed favourite Mnementh got rolled at Corowa in September.

"If anyone has watched AFL and really enjoyed it, well, I say you're following the wrong game," new Corowa-Rutherglen coach Peter German didn't miss with his thoughts on the state of AFL football.

"The little bald-headed thing, not that I can talk these days, was the drawcard I guess," Ben Reid said the chance to play with close friend Matt Kelly was a big reason he joined Wangaratta from Collingwood.

"As a club we are disappointed and most of our members were in favour of the merger," Federal president Craig Sheather after Upper Murray clubs almost unanimously rejected a proposal to merge and join the Tallangatta and District league.

"I left him stranded, he took a single off the first ball of the last over and I couldn't get back off strike ... it would have been nice for both us to get tons," North Albury's Anthony Hartshorn scored a ton as brother, Tim, was 97 not out in a 220-run stand.

"No excuses from our end, our batting performance was embarrassing," East Albury coach Brett Davies after the Crows were dismissed for 17 runs by North Albury in November.

"Most of my family were asleep and I was nearly asleep myself because I worked at six o'clock that morning," Myrtleford's Dominic Bedendo on his 11^th hour draft selection to the Western Bulldogs.