NATHAN Blacklock has put his hand up again and will coach the Tingha Tigers this season after the Group 19 stalwarts almost folded last week.
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The loss of players to other clubs, specifically Inverell, is to blame for the Tigers being on their knees, according to president and Group 19 senior vice -president Ivan Coleman.
There have been rumours this week that one player from Tingha is being paid $700 a game, although those rumours are not confirmed.
“Money is to blame,” Coleman said. “A fair few have gone to Inverell.
“They are some of the best players in the group and we can’t afford to keep them anymore.”
Former Tigers captain-coach Guy Mepham and lock Nick Dawson are among the players to go to the Hawks, with Scott Fitzgerald also rumoured to join the grand finalists under coach Peter Stevens.
“Big money will ruin the comp,” Coleman said.
“Look at Group 4.”
Last season the Tigers finished seventh out of nine clubs but did beat finalists and alleged big spenders Glen Innes and Inverell during the home and away season.
“We had 62 senior players signed up last year,” Coleman said.
“We might have the numbers this year but won’t have the quality.”
Blacklock put his hand up at an emergency meeting called last Sunday that was attended by only 20 people.
“Only three or four of those were players but we did have a fair few apologies,” Coleman said.
“Hopefully Macca (Blacklock) will attract and find some players. He is out looking for some, as he does.”
The last time Blacklock put his hand up, in 2009, the Tigers went on to win the competition.
Playing only reserve grade, juniors and tag for a year is not an option as far as Coleman is concerned.
“It is an A grade comp so we will play A grade or nothing.
“If we have an A grade, then we have to have a reserve grade for the players who miss a spot or they go somewhere else or to rugby.
“We have to keep people playing rugby league first.”
The president would like to see a salary cap come into play, as has happened to the Toowoomba competition.
The cap would also bring some transparency to the payment system, which is a source of allegations, denials, and rumours amongst many clubs and competitions in country rugby league.
Tingha is having a registration day at the Sport and Rec club on Sunday February 8 from 11am to 2pm.
“We won’t really know until after that sign-up day how we are travelling,” Coleman said.
“I am still not too confident about it.”