No for the first time this Bathurst and District Football season it was the club’s first grade side who were forced to sit out after they were informed by the Cowra Eagles, they could not fulfil their playing commitments. 

It is the fifth time a Mudgee Wolves side has been forced to sit on the sidelines due to the inability of other club to field a side due to various reason.

Mitchell said they have expressed their frustration to the Bathurst Football board about the situation but conceded there was little more they could do to ensure their players receive the game time they are paying for. 

“We have made our views to Bathurst very strongly and they’re working hard on it, but they can’t do a lot about it,” Mitchell said. 

“We have had that many already and it will only get worse, because the teams that can’t make the semis, they’ll forfeit. 

“It’s happened in previous years to us. So they will either forfeit or turn up with seven players. 

“It’s ridiculous really but you’re hands are tied with what you can do about it.”

Currently clubs are fined $330 for every forfeit, with the opposing team reviving a 3-0 win in their favour. 

However, the lack of game time is the biggest concern as teams attempt to ramp up their preparation for a run at premierships. 

When asked if there could be more to deter teams from pulling the pin so easily, Mitchell said, with a slight tongue-in-cheek comment, that perhaps the fine could be increased.  

“I reckon if they forfeit they should fine teams $1000,” Mitchell said. 

“This year is probably a touch worse than it normally has been, but to get another forfeit at this time of the team is bloody ridiculous.”

Despite boasting arguably the best football facilities in the Central West for players in Glen Willow, teams often cite the distance to play the Wolves as a primary concern according to Mitchell.

However, with Bathurst (128km), Orange (183km) and Cowra (234km) all well within reasonable travelling times for regional area sporting competitions, Mudgee is being left out in the cold. 

“That (travel) is a lot of the reason why they don’t come here, they just say they don’t like travelling, that’s a common issue we have heard,” Mitchell said.  

“But in saying that this is the first time we have had a forfeit against Cowra, so I don’t know what’s gone wrong with them because they normally travel pretty well. 

“We used to go to Young which was four hours away.”