With reference to your report and editorial regarding Blake Robinson, the Bermagui Cobargo Eels and Group 16 management committee suspension I make the following comments.

It appears that the original clearance to play and later reversed must not have been fully decided by the management committee.

Based on the executive’s ruling of Blake being of “first grade standard and history, playing the appropriate grade and fairness”  I make these observations.

Should a club choose to play their entire first grade side or a player with NRL and international experience against the likes of Candelo-Bemboka or Bermagui-Cobargo reserve grade, the Group would be powerless to intervene.

A quick glance at the playing roster of the top-of-the-table reserve grade sides will indicate that they have a good contingent of players of first grade experience regularly playing, which is their right and credit to them.  

Indeed, the reserve grade teams in this year’s final series will also have a strong balance of experienced first graders who have been legally qualified to participate.

The portability arrangement that Candelo-Bemboka, Bermagui-Cobargo, Eden and Pambula-Merimbula share was implemented to make these clubs progress, be viable and to share an equal playing field.

Rugby league is facing difficulties in all areas and the support of these teams and the likes of Tathra would be beneficial to strengthen Group 16.

I am confident that should Blake Robinson transfer to one of the larger clubs his Reserve Grade ban would soon be lifted.

I am fully aware of the commitment, time and thankless duties that volunteers put in to management decisions to hopefully  make our game better.  

I believe that if everyone was to abide by the key principles of the CRL Constitution, which are to “foster, develop, extend and promote the game”, the sport would be in a much better position.

Brad Bobbin

Letters to the editor for sport are welcome and should be addressed to Jacob McMaster at jacob.mcmaster@fairfaxmedia.com.au. 

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