Amalgamation remains a possibility for Coleambally but the overriding sentiment at this week's crisis meeting is for the club to continue to stand alone.
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More than 80 people attended the Wednesday night meeting, in a show of community support for the Blues.
“They’re passionate about seeing football survive in Coleambally, that’s for sure,” club president Shane Mannes said.
But the club’s first step is to form a sub-committee to explore all options in detail, including amalgamation or switching competitions, and report back next month.
“There’s a feeling probably stand-alone (is the favoured outcome) but I think everyone realises we need to explore the option of merging,” Mannes said.
“There’s a lot of questions as to how amalgamation would look, and work. A lot of people are very keen on continuing as we are. But there’s a lot of varied opinions.”
A sub-committee was also set up to start forming the club’s next executive, as Coleambally, with a population of 600, addressed concerns of off-field depth as well as on-field numbers.
“I think people might’ve been a little bit shocked as to how serious it all was so I think it was good they came along and got a fair idea of exactly what’s happening,” Mannes said.
“(Standing alone) would take more volunteers, for sure. I think everyone would’ve went away with that understanding.”
Coleambally’s location means Jerilderie, Griffith, Leeton or Narrandera would appear the possible options for approach.
“One thing we can learn is there’s no easy fix, and definitely no silver bullet,” Mannes said.
“It’s just explore all the options and work out which way to go forward from there.”
The Blues are financially sound but Mannes said it was incumbent on the committee to assess what the future might hold given the club faces an ongoing battle to find players and meet its commitments.
“We’re not the only ones,” Mannes said.
“There’s probably a lot of clubs in a very similar position to us but they might still have their head in the sand.”
Representatives from AFL Riverina, the Farrer League and South West Juniors also attended the meeting in support of the club.
“It was a positive meeting which was well attended by the community,” AFL Riverina chairman Michael Irons said.
“It provided an opportunity to get some of the issues they are facing out for discussion and obviously some of the issues they are dealing with are no different from what other clubs face.”
