GROUP Three Rugby League will press ahead with a seven club competition in 2015 without 2014 premiers, the Macleay Valley Mustangs.
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The decision was made by Group Three Rugby League at its annual general meeting on Sunday.
“It knocks the wind out of our sails,” Mustangs club secretary Bruce Cain told The Macleay Argus.
“We as the defending premiers would like the opportunity to defend our title and we don’t believe the entire Macleay Valley population should be held accountable for the indiscretions of a few.”
Former Mustangs president Mike Spalding, who presented at Sunday’s meeting, along with Cain, told The Argus the Group Three management and clubs had already made their decision before Sunday’s meeting.
“They had made their decision before we had arrived,” Spalding said.
“We were only considered as visitors because we were stood-down, which I understand and accept, but it seemed once we left and the doors were closed anybody that might have been leaning towards us would have been pushed the other way.
“However, we will fight on.”
Mr Cain said he doesn’t believe Group Three understand the ramifications of their decision.
“You only have to look at what happened when South Sydney got kicked out of the NRL,” Cain said.
“Group Three need to understand the meaning of football to a community and I wouldn’t be surprised if things aren’t cleared up soon, there will be a march.
“The fact is this is only round one. It might be a short or a long fight, but we don’t know at this stage and we haven’t received a reply from CRL as to their intentions, but we have requested a dialogue.
“So you might say the ball is in their court and we await their response.”