So what's your excuse? Local club legend and retiree, 61, dubbed 'Einstein' for his flowing grey hair fills in for first grade team after his side fell desperately short of numbers
- Peter Shaw, 61, has played two games for Corryong Demons seniors this season
- His team sometimes only has 14 players available, forcing him into service
- Old timer enjoys playing but doesn't have the speed to keep up with youngsters
- Shaw usually hides in the forward line as his team rarely scores many goals
- Club president said it showed how much country football was struggling
Country football is in such dire straits that a 61-year-old retiree has been pressed into service for a first grade team to make up the numbers.
Peter Shaw would usually be manning the sidelines or carrying water but has been called up twice to the Corryong Demons senior side this season.
The tiny town on the NSW-Victoria border, like others around it, is struggling to field a team, with only 14 available some weeks.
Peter Shaw would usually be manning the sidelines or carrying water but has been called up twice to the Corryong Demons senior side this season
Corryong loses by well over 100 points every week so coaches hide Shaw in the forward pocket 'where the ball isn't'
Shaw is keen to get involved, saying he's 'not much of a spectator', but admits his best playing days are well behind him.
'I do a bit of running around trying to get involved, but I've got no speed left so I can't do what I want to do,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
'When I get into a rhythm I'm okay and I have heaps of stamina, but I pay for it during the week. I've just got no speed, they go past me and laugh.'
Corryong loses by well over 100 points every week so coaches hide Shaw in the forward pocket 'where the ball isn't'.
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'He might put a bump on or get in someone's way and when he gets a kick everyone gets excited,' club president Owen Johnstone said.
To do his bit, Shaw tries to be an on-field coach for young players new to the sport who have potential but little experience.
'I tell them to come with me and I tell them where to go to get the ball. I know where the ball is going to within a metre but I can't get there,' he said.
'They're good fun and don't get sour about things.'
Mr Johnstone said Shaw was 'part of the furniture' at the club and happy to help out either on the field, on the sidelines, or to clean out the club rooms before they are demolished
Shaw played senior grade for Corryong as a 15-year-old before moving to Melbourne and Adelaide and only moving back to the bush 12 years ago (pictured playing years ago)
Mr Johnstone said Shaw was 'part of the furniture' at the club and happy to help out either on the field, on the sidelines, or to clean out the club rooms before they are demolished.
Shaw played senior grade for Corryong as a 15-year-old before moving to Melbourne and Adelaide and only moving back to the bush 12 years ago.
But this will probably be the last season the old timer laces up the boots as the Upper Murray League is likely to fold before next year.
Mr Johnstone said all but two clubs were struggling to attract players and some didn't even field a reserves side this year.
'People at the AFL down in Melbourne need to come up from the big smoke and have a look at how much local clubs are struggling,' he said.
He said the area had an ageing population and young people would rather go motorboke riding or shooting deer because they're less likely to get injured.
Shaw rugs up from the winter cold on the sidelines, holding his mouthguard in his hand
To do his bit, Shaw tries to be an on-field coach for young players new to the sport who have potential but little experience
'They love their sport but they don't want to risk not being able to go to work on Monday because they're injured,' Mr Johnstone said.
Insurance for injured players provided by the AFL only kicks in after four weeks, and clubs don't have the money to make up the difference.
Mr Johnstone said there was a 'ridiculous amount' of paperwork for volunteer club committees to do.
Corryong has produced AFL stars like former Carlton defender Adrian Whitehead and current players Joe and Shaun Atley, but they could be the last.
'No one puts any effort into grassroots football to produce the next generation of stars,' Mr Johnstone said.
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