After winning the grand final over CSU in 2017, the Warriors have been unable to field a team in the league or league tag competitions. 

Long-standing players including last year’s co-coach Brad Cornwell have taken the opportunity to retire off the back of their 16 year drought-breaking title win, while other up-and-coming talents were moving up to contest higher grades of football with the Workies or St Pats.

Country Rugby League regional operations coordinator Evan Jones said it was not unusual to see a side struggle after winning a premiership title. 

“It's difficult to have the same motivation the following season,” he said. 

“It’s very disappointing, obviously. The same thing happened to CSU after they won in 2014, they struggled for players and I think they had to field a single team instead of two the following year.”

In terms of the New Era Cup competition, there will be the same number of teams competing, as Blackheath reenters the competition following a year hiatus. 

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In a similar scenario to that playing out at Wallerawang this year, the Blackheath Blackcats were premiers in 2015 and runners-up in 2016. The team then sat out 2017 after failing to get the numbers to play. 

The Blackcats club will also field a league tag team, replacing the grand finalist Warriettes. Wallerawang hosted the grand final match last year, with a home crowd cheering on grand final hopefuls in the league tag and league matches against the CSU Yellow teams. 

The Warriettes, who only lost one game in the regular season, could not beat CSU, before the men’s team continued their amazing 2017 run of form to take the title. 

Brad Cornwell said he was stepping back after playing for Wallerawang for 20 years of his 39 years of footy. He said it was natural that up-and-coming players sought opportunities in grade football and he was hopeful the club would come back strong. 

“I don’t want to see it fold at all, but if a team doesn’t play this year, I would love to see it get back up and going again,” he said.