However, the development squad game went ahead on Saturday. 

A decision was made on Friday afternoon to cancel the game at the Bega Showground - pending a reschedule - due to the weather.

Club spokesman Alex Nicol said it was unfortunate as players were itching to take the field. 

“I think they’d have played in rowing boats on Friday night if we let them,” Nicol said. 

“Or perhaps with water wings,” he said with a laugh.

Nicol said an inspection of the ground was made on Friday and was deemed “unfit to play on”. 

However, it was re-inspected on Saturday morning and play was able to go ahead for the 16s and development grades as planned. 

“It was a split round, we were to play 13s and seniors on Friday,” Nicol said. 

“On Saturday it was fit to play, so the development grade and the under 16s went ahead.”

Playing against the Pambula Panthers it was the visitors taking a win in both grades. 

“Pambula won the 16s convincingly and less-so the development grade,” Nicol said. 

“I was surprised there was a big crowd on Saturday.

“Pambula had a big turnout of fans and they are looking strong this season. 

“I think Pambula will be a benchmark club,” he said. 

Meanwhile, for the Bombers Nicol said it was an opportunity to assess new players.

“From our point of view it gave us a chance to look at players who haven’t played before.”

The performance was enough to impress senior coach Matt Fleet, Nicol said. 

“Matt said he was quite pleased with the outcome.

“It was a pretty ordinary game I have to say – it rained continually and the ball didn’t bounce at all.

“It makes it bloody difficult to play football.”

Nicol said both clubs used the development match as an opportunity to give some returning first graders a run. 

“There were a couple of players who had been injured and weren’t selected in the first grade.

“Both clubs took the opportunity to give a couple of players  a run,” he said. 

Nicol said the club will now find a time to reschedule the match in cooperation with the Sapphire Coast AFL (SCAFL).

 “The SCAFL by-laws say there has to be an attempt to reschedule the match – if they can’t, there is a procedure to follow,” Nicol said. 

“There will be a make up round – that’s the aim. 

“The difficulty is getting access to grounds,” he said. 

Nicol said it was  “a pity” to start the season on a low note with the cancelled game. 

However, conditions were poor and the decision had to be made. 

“There was six inches of water on the ground in front of the goal square and water on the surface in the centre field on Friday night.

“And it was still raining, so it would have been worse as the game went on,” he said. 

However, he said players had been keen to take the field in spite of conditions.