Set up to be the clash of the season, the Murrumbateman Eagles had to, unfortunately, forfeit their clash against the Yass Roos on Saturday due to a lack of players.
The Eagles announced on Friday morning that they would be unable to field a side.
“Unfortunately, due to multiple injuries and player unavailability, we cannot field a side to play Yass tomorrow and have had to make the difficult decision to forfeit the game, that was scheduled to be played at Joe O’Connor Park – the home of the Yass Roos,” the Murrumbateman Eagles stated.
“We know the Yass Roos have organised a major fundraising day for the Cancer Council and we sincerely apologise to all concerned for not being able to get a team together for their day.”
The result means Murrumbateman will finish second on the AFL Canberra 2023 Community Men’s Division Three ladder, with one round in the home and away season to play.
Eagles Coach Mark Welsh said the Club tried as best they could to field a side on Saturday, however, were not successful.
“We did absolutely everything in our power to try and find guys to fill the team. We even asked for special dispensation from AFL Canberra to allow us to register four new players after the cut off date so that we could field a team, but they said no,” Welsh said.
“It actually went to a higher review position too. AFL Canberra were actually pretty supportive and very helpful, but it went to the top and they said no.
“In the end, we only had 14 fit players and three guys who were holding injuries that were too risky to play. We couldn’t even come up with enough players to play 16 a side, unfortunately.
“It was a really horrible decision to have to make. It’s the first one in three years since I’ve been at the club that we’ve had to forfeit.
“I feel bad for Yass. We let them know really early on Monday that we were going to struggle and we were doing our best to get a team together, but it was likely that we would have to forfeit. We stilled hoped during the week that we were going to find the players, but it just didn’t eventuate.
“We knew the week before from our availability poll that we would be light on numbers. We only had 16 players available on that poll due to guys being injured and away. But then we had a couple more injuries at training on Thursday night which took that 16 down to 14.
“You can’t have a game of footy with 14-a-side. When those two injuries happened on Thursday night, we knew we had to make the call.”
Yass and Murrumbateman will again meet in the Qualifying Final on Saturday 19th August at Joe O’Connor Park, with both sides earning a double chance in finals due to their top two finish.
“Our players understood the situation we were in. Some things you just can’t change, it is what it is. The minor premiership wasn’t actually talked about at all, we’ve got a bigger goal that we’re working towards.
“A minor premiership is really just a bonus at the end of the day. Winning the flag is way more important, we’re working towards that goal. The guys have got their heads up and are looking forward to that goal.
“The bye week will give enough time for guys to return from travel and to get over niggling injuries. Whilst we’ve got a clash against the Cats on Saturday, the result won’t affect ladder position.
“We just want to make sure that we’ve got guys getting right for that first final and we will make sure that we have the strongest team that we possibly can for that game.
“I’m really looking forward to it, it can’t come quick enough actually.”
The Eagles will face the Southern Cats at Murrumbateman Park this Saturday from 2pm in Round 14.
“The Cats were beaten by Belconnen last weekend, so I’m expecting them to field a really strong team because if they lose to us and Coota win their last game and there’s a good swing in percentage, Coota can still make the finals,” Welsh continued.
“It’s still up in the air for the teams fighting for the top four. We’re set in second, but we want to make sure that our form for the last round is solid.
“We’ll be playing that game almost like it’s a finals game. I have the availability in front of me now and we will be able to field a team, even if it’s one short on the bench, we’ll definitely have a squad.
“We’ll be playing this like it’s a round one finals game. We’ll definitely be going out there with the strongest squad, ready to show some form leading into the final.
“There won’t be any really big changes, it’s not a free hit or anything like that. We will be taking this game as a lead up to the finals.
Round 14 Fixture:
Cootamundra vs Tuggeranong @ Clark Oval
Eastlake vs Yass @ Kingston Oval
Goulburn vs Belconnen @ Goodhew Park
Murrumbateman vs Southern Cats @ Murrumbateman Park
Ladder:
- Yass – 48 points – 348%
- Mururmbateman – 44 points – 216%
- Goulburn Swans – 36 points – 162%
- Southern Cats – 24 points – 118%
- Cootamundra – 20 points – 113%
- Belconnen – 20 points – 63%
- Eastlake – 12 points – 37%
- Tuggeranong – 4 points – 25%
Tim Warren
