Border concerns see Albury Thunder forfeit men's grades

The Thunder were set to tackle the Tigers at Anzac Park on Sunday however the border bubble not extending to Gundagai proved to be a massive obstacle.

President Rick O'Connell believes the club had no choice but to pull out of the games.

"The COVID restrictions in Victoria make it basically impossible to play," O'Connell said.

"Gundagai is outside of the Victorian bubble which means for any of our players, whether they are based in NSW or Victoria, if they go to Gundagai they can't enter Victoria for 14 days.

"We've got three quarters of our players in the senior grades that work within trades who work across the border and we can't ask them to give up two weeks' work to play a game of footy."

Albury scored a 22-18 win over Gundagai when the teams met at Greenfield Park earlier this season.

They are currently a win, and significant percentage, outside the top five.

O'Connell was disappointed in the situation the club finds themselves in.

"It is disappointing that we can't play but it is equally disappointing for Gundagai who were expecting five games of footy this weekend and are going to end up with one," he said.

"It is just the way it is and they understand the predicament we are in and there are next to no home games at this point of time so it's not really helping them.

"It is just an unfortunate of the current world we live in."

However Albury's leaguetag team isn't as affected.

Instead they will face Gundagai at Anzac Park on Saturday.

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"The majority of our girls aren't impacted," O'Connell said.

"They live in NSW and have indicated it won't impact them in their work or anything as they don't travel into Victoria.

"They are right to play the game."

O'Connell is hopeful the rest of the season won't be impacted with the remainder of their games inside the bubble.

"Playing footy is great and it's a privilege but right at this point in time everyone's livelihood and safety are more important," he said.

"As Gundagai is outside the bubble it impacts us but for the rest of the season all the other places are inside the bubble."

Albury face Kangaroos at Equex Centre on August 1 before a bye and games against Tumut and Brothers at Greenfield Park to complete the season.

O'Connell revealed days of discussion went into the decision, including the possibility of moving the game to Wagga, were considered.

Forfeiting was their best option.

"We looked at as many options as we could to get the game played," he said.

While border issues have derailed Albury this week, Group Nine chairman Andrew Hinchcliffe admitted there have been discussions over potential options for the whole competition.

However they will be guided on government advice.

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