A country footy club that has produced a long line of AFL greats faces an uncertain future due to player shortages and flood-damaged clubrooms.
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With a catchment on either side of the Victorian-NSW border, the Corowa-Rutherglen Football Netball Club's home ground and facilities were completely inundated when floodwaters breached the Murray River's banks in November.
Having already lost 30 players in the off-season, the border club is considering going into recess for the 2023 season in the highly competitive Ovens and Murray Football Netball League.
"Player losses to this extent have never been experienced in our history despite the sustained effort from the club football department to attract and retain players," club president Graham Hosier said.
"We are hurting and the community are hurting as a result of this so we are determined to continue the fight on for a reset in 2024."
The club, formed in 1979 when the Corowa Spiders and Rutherglen Redlegs merged, was founded as the Border United Football Club in 1877.
It has sought advice from the league on the ramifications of a 2023 recess.
Mr Hosier said players relocated for a variety of reasons including work or trying out for VFL and AFL clubs.
Former club players include Coleman medallist and North Melbourne flag winner-turned-Sydney Swans premiership coach John Longmire, ex-Carlton coach David Teague, Collingwood defender Mick Gayfer and Carlton 201-gamer Ryan Houlihan.
The club will meet with members and sponsors on Thursday night to discuss the situation and consider potential solutions.
"In times like this we have to face a very real reality that if things don't come together quickly, we will need to make tough decisions," Mr Hosier said.
The club is awaiting a council decision on the more than $220,000 insurance bill, with its clubrooms sustaining significant mould damage.
A fundraising webpage hosted by the Australian Sports Foundation has attracted $20,000 in donations so far.
Australian Associated Press
