GROUP 11 president Ross McDermott couldn't hide his disappointment when asked about Dubbo missing out on the round five NRL clash between Manly and Canberra but did admit it was pleasing to see the game taken to a regional area.
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Manly CEO Joe Kelly said in a statement released on the Sea Eagles' website on Saturday morning he was "delighted" to be taking the match to Albury and helping the game grow in country areas.
While McDermott was disappointed with the decision he said it was still a positive for bush footy and added an NRL match at Dubbo in 2015 wasn't out of the picture with the round 21 fixture between Manly and the Brisbane Broncos still listed at a location 'TBA' on the official NRL draw.
"It's good news for Albury but it's a bit of a bummer for us," he said.
"But it's good for rugby league, we need games in the bush and I wish Albury all the best.
"Dubbo can't have everything but we just want our share. We're not sure what this means in relation to the round 21 match, we've got to get some clarification because we might be in with a bit of a chance there but it's a bit of an unknown at the moment."
Group 11 had worked tirelessly alongside Dubbo City Council for more than 12 months to try and bring the match to Caltex Park but reports in recent weeks stated the Dubbo bid fell just short of the financial amount Manly required.
McDermott said there was nothing more his team could have done and was proud of all the efforts but admitted he would be approaching the Country Rugby League (CRL) in the coming weeks to ask what sort of assistance they can supply for the next proposal.
McDermott went on to say everything would be done to bring the Manly-Brisbane match to Dubbo if the Sea Eagles announce it is a possibility and with that match coinciding with the business end of the Group 11 season he is already excited about his chances.
"We spoke to Joe Kelly and it (the round 21 match) was also in the proposal we put forward, we want a game but we just want a bit of a time frame and know our chances of getting that round 21 fixture here," he said.
"It would be getting close to the end of our season and would lead into finals so their presence could really be a great boost for rugby league and a good money spinner for all the Group 11 clubs."
It had been a frustrating wait for local fans after Manly originally stated a decision on the location of the round five match would be made before Christmas.
Despite all the waiting and then the disappointment of missing out, McDermott said he still had a positive relationship with the Sea Eagles. He hoped that relationship would lead to the round 21 match coming to Dubbo but insisted if it didn't then he wouldn't stop working to bring an NRL match of any kind to Dubbo the following season.
"Certainly in the discussions I've had with Dean Pay and Ricky Stuart at Canberra they were really positive so that's an avenue we could explore, not dampening the relationship with Manly at all though," he said.
"But Canberra and Newcastle are options, Newcastle is also close and our junior academies work with the Knights so while one door has closed there are other options."