Many of us were shocked and saddened to see the uphill battle facing the Bulldogs ahead of the 2016 season.
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The number of senior players retiring is a massive blow but one that can’t be avoided.
League takes its toll on the body, arguably more than any other mainstream sport. You can’t keep playing forever at the level Group Nine demands.
Equally, if some players have the opportunity to develop themselves in a bigger and better league then more power to them.
Cootamundra is proud of exports like Jack de Belin and would only wish the best to other players with similar potential.
What is more worrying is the likely loss of some players to Group Nine rivals.
It’s one thing if a player has to leave for work, but another thing entirely to turn your back on a team in crisis.
Maybe the club has some problems. Name a club that doesn’t.
Right now the players who have benefited from our amazing junior league have the opportunity to be part of the solution, rather than walking away from the problem.
Changing teams is far from the worst thing in world. But bush footy should never be about the money or the glory.
It’s about taking to the field with your brothers in arms, and having some stories to tell at the end of it all.
Young players would do well to remember your retirement is much longer than your career.
