Not sure what to make of this article in today's Daily Advertiser ?
Future under pressure as injuries stack up, players switch to 'inferior' rivals
Reddies president Isaac Erbacher is confident the women's side, featuring Dana Seward, can recover from player issues that have seen them forfeit twice this season.
A second straight forfeit has put Reddies' season in jeopardy.
After being unable to fill a women's side to tackle premiers Tumut last week, the Wagga club has also forfeited their clash with unbeaten Waratahs at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.
A third forfeit would likely see Southern Inland step in and withdraw the side,
as seen last season with Albury's second grade side.
However, Reddies president Isaac Erbacher is confident they can overcome player numbers issue to finish the year.
"Injuries have really taken a toll on us in the last couple of weeks," Erbacher said.
"We've had pretty serious ones like ruptured quads, dislocated shoulders, broken fingers, concussions and a couple of girls leaving to go to inferior clubs for whatever reason, but at the end of the day we're a tight club and we've got a plan to play the last four games of the season."
With the women's side having a bye coming up, Erbacher hopes to have player levels at a more sustainable level to tackle Ag College on July 19.
However, Reddies felt forfeiting this week was the best way to ensure they can finish the season.
"We're hoping to have some of those players back from injury, plus more players just being available as well to round out the season," Erbacher said.
Since 2015, Reddies has been in five women's grand finals, winning two of them, including their last in the 2022 season.
They have been the driving force of the club over that timeframe with number worries a real concern through the men's grades.
Despite the promise of renewed fortunes last season, with their first grade side finishing fifth, a bonus-point win away from a long-awaited return to finals, and second grade narrowly losing the grand final, each of their four grades is currently second last on their respective ladders with five wins between them.
The club has already taken steps to move away from its university roots to have a wider reach but Erbacher fears for their ability to compete against other clubs.
"Reddies obviously aren't backed by as much money as the other clubs and surely that shows through sponsorships, club numbers, supporters, players and the quality of players," he said.
"I could go on and on, but at the end of the day the Reddies don't have trust funds that are $100,000 to $200,000.
"We're just a humble grassroots rugby team that has been around but slowly been squeezed out by the Ag College influence, and the plan to turn the club around would be securing a long-time permanent home ground venue."
Wagga Cricket Ground is one avenue being explored, with plans for redevelopment in place.
Meanwhile, round nine shapes as a crucial one for Ag College's chances of playing first grade finals football this season.
Aggies are five points adrift of fourth-placed Griffith ahead of a showdown with the Blacks at Beres Ellwood Oval on Saturday.
Only seven points separated the two sides when they faced off two rounds ago, and now the university side has home ground advantage coming off a big win over winless Albury.
Tumut is just one point further ahead as they prepare to host unbeaten Wagga City at Jarrah Oval on Saturday.
