McGuire bemoans bush neglect

THIS week David Gallop jetted to Wagga Wagga to combat AFL's growing incursion into the Riverina.

Bruce McGuire

THIS week David Gallop jetted to Wagga Wagga to combat AFL's growing incursion into the Riverina.

But according to former Balmain star Bruce McGuire, a lone mercy dash from the code's top brass won't repair years of regional neglect.

"I came from a club called Nowra Warriors that used to have three senior teams," McGuire said. "Now there's none. It died a few years ago and there's only the juniors left. The game is really struggling in the bush."

Listening to McGuire's views echoes others who have been protesting the demise of open-age feeder systems.

"I didn't make it to first grade until I was 24 and now you're washed up at 20 because of the Toyota Cup," he said.

"I mean, where are these kids meant to go? The reserve grade is played before a handful of people and it's demoralising. These days there are so many options for kids. They don't have to do that."

The 50-year-old speaks from experience.

Justin, the second eldest of his three sons, used to play for Melbourne's Harold Matthews feeder team on the Central Coast but has now dropped out to pursue a career in landscaping.

Since returning to Australia in 1995 following a four-year UK swansong, McGuire has made himself at home in the building trade. He moved to Shelly Beach a decade ago for the lifestyle, which fellow NSW Origin greats Greg Florimo and Brett Kenny also enjoy.

"I bump into them a little bit, playing some OzTag to keep fit," he said.

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