Erina Eagles civil war: Community demands resignation of coaches allegedly behind forfeits across all grades

The fallout from Erina’s controversial forfeits has reached parliament amid revelations that coaches went against a board edict to play the games, leading to an explosive community letter that could tear apart the club.

The Erina coaches who allegedly forced their club to forfeit important games on the Central Coast over the weekend have been told to stand down immediately amid revelations the pair went directly against a board edict to play.

Erina called an emergency board meeting on Monday night to discuss the drama with this masthead obtaining photos showing the first grade side training at 8am on Sunday, despite the Eagles forfeiting five grades due to an alleged extended injury list on the same day.

First-placed Erina abandoned all grades against second-placed Toukley Hawks, who had planned a sponsors and old boys’ day, on Sunday. Fourth-placed Woy Woy also forfeited to sixth-placed Wyong at Morry Breen Oval.

The drama has even reached parliament with the State Member for Wyong and Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, claiming there “needs to be an explanation” for the forfeits before declaring: “Poor form and the clubs need to have a good look at themselves. There should be severe penalties if there’s no good reason.”

An influential Erina Eagles group called The Nest, comprising former and current players along with life members, has written an explosive letter to the club’s board demanding the resignations of first grade coach Dane Allen and second grade coach Torren Cain – the pair allegedly behind the decision to forfeit.

Erina players at a training session despite forgetting across five grades.

It read: “It is nothing short of disgraceful that more effort was not put into ensuring that every team had the opportunity to play on the day. Our belief is that no genuine attempt was made by the club to avoid this situation.

“The Erina Eagles are a proud club with a rich history, and to our knowledge, no Erina team has ever forfeited in such a manner. To do so under circumstances that could have been rectified in time is unacceptable.

“We are also deeply troubled by reports that, on the morning of the scheduled games, the first grade team trained instead of supporting efforts to field the lower grades. Furthermore, it has come to our attention that players from the lower grades were not even asked if they were willing to back up or play two games.

“This lack of communication and effort is inexcusable. Adding to this travesty is the fact that, had the club managed to fill its third grade team and secure a win against Toukley, they would have guaranteed themselves a semi-finals position.

“The decision to forfeit under these circumstances is an absolute travesty. We, the members and players, demand that action be taken against those responsible for this decision, which has put a stain on our respected and loved club for the foreseeable future.

“We call for Torren Cain and Dane Allen, if they are responsible, to be relieved of their duties immediately and to face a hearing where they will be interviewed by the players, members, and supporters.

“The club must distance itself from this poor sportsmanship and take ownership of the precedent it has set, suggesting that one team is more important than another. This goes against everything the Erina Eagles stand for.”

The Erina coaches who allegedly forced their club to forfeit their games against Toukley have been told to stand down immediately. Picture: Michael Gorton

Forfeiting first grade – just a week before the finals – meant all four lower grades also had to forfeit, a decision which cost Erina’s third grade side a spot in the finals. Rival clubs insist Erina didn’t play to keep players fresh for the looming finals.

Allen and Cain twice sought approval from the club’s board last week to forfeit but their request was flatly denied. Board members wanted the club to at least field a first grade team and girls’ tag side.

The pair named teams during the week but withdrew all sides at 2pm on Saturday. Erina named 52 players across all grades before claiming injuries would prevent them playing Toukley.

Team sheets for the Toukley vs. Erina fixtures.

Erina’s women’s side had a full complement of players ready for a Sunday game but were told at 2pm on Saturday that their game had been forfeited.

Eagles League Ladies Tag coach Adam Carlisle, posted: “On behalf of myself and the Erina LLT team, I want to apologise to Toukley Hawks. We had no choice whatsoever in this decision and were keen to play. I was told that we were forfeiting and that was it. At no point were we included in any discussions. Sorry again.”

Players were too frightened to talk publicly because of the coach’s strong hold over the club. Erina’s decision cost Toukley up to $15,000 in bar sales.

Berkeley Vale v Erina at Ted Doyle Oval, Rugby League Central Coast Round 13 21st July 2024 pic Sue Graham

The Eagles could now also lose a home final as punishment while also being fined $1000, an amount which must be paid by Wednesday or the club could be banned from playing the finals.

Erina and Toukley are expected to meet in the looming finals, the two teams having contested the past two grand finals.

Rival club Kincumber Colts also attacked Erina on social media, posting: “Absolutely disgusting behaviour from Erina Eagles. Shows how self-absorbed that club is, complete disregard for another club. Probably cost Toukley at least $15000 in lost revenue.

“Borders on match manipulation and certainly not ‘playing in the spirit of the game’. There should be further penalties for this.”

Toukley was robbed of a chance to farewell retiring players at their home ground, Darren Kennedy Oval, after Erina forfeited games in open age, reserve grade, ladies league tag, women’s tackle and first grade.

Erina is four points clear on top of the table so could forfeit and still first finish after the regular season.