But on that day they may not have a side left in the Central West competition for season 2015.

That is the stark warning from president Joe Cook as he looks to not just survive from week to week but increase player numbers. 

“Really we just need new players who are interested in having a go. 

“Last year we lost probably 10 blokes, who were helping or playing every game, to retirement or other reasons and it’s put a real dent in our season.

“If we had another 10 or 15 blokes on the books this season to play every now and then it would be much easier because we’ve lost too many and haven’t gained enough.”

Mudgee faced a tough start to the Central West AFL (CWAFL) season when they scraped together just enough players only to be mauled by Parkes at Victoria Park.

The situation worsened last weekend when they could not guarantee the minimum squad under competition rules for the return trip to tackle the Panthers. 

As a result the team was forced to forfeit as a cloud over their immediate future started to darken.

CWAFL football operations co-ordinator David Stratton  said he was willing to work with Mudgee to try and help them through to the rest of the season.

Stratton said they were willing to help the Black Swans limp through to the end of the season, to a point, if their numbers did not improve this year.

He added he would prefer not to rule any team out of playing as Australian Football in the region continues to battle it’s bigger code counterparts. 

 “At the moment I will make an executive decision on this, we want to keep as many clubs in the competition as possible and if we have to be flexible with numbers and other issues we will be,” Stratton said.  

“We won’t throw the book at anybody over things like this as I understand Joe is working hard to get players numbers up and people interested. 

“We understand how difficult that is to get the community involved especially in this region being a very strong rugby league area.”

When asked if there was a maximum number of forfeits a team could make in a season before he ruling body had to step in, Stratton said he was currently tightening up the definition.  

“We are working on that this season so we have a standard to work off, because everything has been loosely done up until now. 

“It is very difficult for these smaller clubs with smaller population, so we are willing to do what we can to help.”

Interested players can contact Matthew Harrington on 0422 815354 or Marty Turner on 0404 219386.