Rutherglen president Greg Lumby fears a chronic player shortage could become a widespread issue this season in country clubs.
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After having 12 months off playing due to COVID-19, participants in both football and netball are weighing up their playing futures after finding alternative interests during the enforced lay-off.
While numbers remain strong in senior football, several clubs are expected to struggle to fill reserves, junior football as well as all grades of netball.
Lumby raised his concerns on the club's Facebook page over the weekend.
His major concern was a lack of numbers in reserves football.
Junior football, senior netball and volunteers were also low.
"I am genuinely concerned about the 2021 season ahead and how the club will proceed and remain strong," Lumby said.
MItta United also posted on Facebook over the weekend that it was in desperate need of more juniors.
Lumby said he would be surprised if there weren't several more clubs in a similar position to Rutherglen.
"I don't think we are the only club struggling with numbers and there are numerous clubs in a similar position and not just in the Tallangatta league," he said.
"I'm not really into social media but I felt I just needed to get the message out to the local community.
"If anyone has moved to the area and is contemplating playing this year we need to know now and it would be great to get the opportunity to show you around our club."
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Lumby said he had had a positive response to his Facebook post with players who were previously at the club contacting him over the weekend.
"I have had a number of phone calls over the weekend from people offering their support," he said.
"I was pleasantly surprised to be honest, but shouldn't have been as we have a fantastic community around us at Rutherglen.
"Hypothetically, if we had to play this weekend we would have a very competitive senior side and maybe a dozen reserves players.
"After a lot of work by our coaches and volunteers, we have healthy numbers in both junior football and netball.
"There is a Tallangatta league meeting on Wednesday and it will be interesting to see how other clubs are travelling."
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