TUESDAY TANTRUM WITH GERARD WALSH

WILL Warwick and Wattles be playing rugby league games against Oakey next season?

Interesting question and we won't know the answer for a fortnight.

I hope so; Oakey has a proud rugby league tradition and small towns need footy teams. Just ask the people of Killarney and Inglewood.

It will be two weeks before a decision is made by the TRL about Oakey's future for next season.

As reported, their problems basically are money and players.

Leagues and association across the nation charge clubs affiliation fees and the like, and at times clubs struggle to make ends meet.

I won't be getting phone calls from Warwick and Wattles people when I say both clubs have been there, done that, with player shortages and conceded scores close to what Australia made in the Test cricket on Saturday.

At the TRL AGM on Sunday, Greg Platz from Warwick, was re-appointed to the TRL board. Former Stanthorpe player Tony Coonan remains on the board with Terry Cook, of State of Origin fame, a new member.

Glyn Rees, from Allora, retired after four years on the board and will not have an official position in rugby league for the first time in 41 years.

I would love a dollar for every kilometre some volunteers have driven as sports administrators and Glyn is one who put in the kilometres, hours and dollars at state, divisional and club levels, especially in the juniors.

He will be like me, an interesting watcher, to see what happens with Oakey.

It has almost been a country takeover at the TRL when it comes to A-grade premierships.

Gatton, Wattles (twice) and Pittsworth are the recent premiership winners and both Warwick and Dalby have made grand finals. That leaves Goondiwindi, one season back from Group 19, Oakey and recent A-grade inclusions Highfields as the TRL clubs from the country.