The Griffins were significant underdogs going into the weekend, and they continued to struggle for numbers during the match, with only 11 players on the team list. 

“They fully deserved to win,” Crookwell soccer president and Griffins player David Shepherd said. 

“[The player shortage is] definitely not helpful. They had maybe four subs, they definitely had more legs in them than us.” 

Despite the 6-2 scoreline at the end of the match, Shepherd said that the match was much closer than the number of goals suggested. 

“[The Stags] got a penalty early which hurt us,” he said. 

“They were just better than us … if we would have held them for a little bit, we would have very much competed. 

“We were definitely in it. They started to get a bit stressed, but they got some goals which gave them a bit of comfort.” 

The loss brings to an end a very promising campaign from Crookwell soccer. The Reds were knocked out in the semi-finals last weekend by the Griffins, and this weekend’s Grand Final will feature the Stags and Marulan White. 

One of the most consistent aspects of both Crookwell teams this year was their struggle to field full teams. 

There was a suggestion that Crookwell might become a more formidable force if the Reds and the Griffins combined, however Shepherd said that a vote within the club at the start of the 2018 season comprehensively shut down that idea. 

“That was a big discussion point, do we combine and try to take out the competition, or do we just stay as we are and keep most of the people happy?” he said. 

“Really what we’re about as a club is getting people to come back next year, and we want people to play soccer because we all love it.” 

The Southern Tablelands All Age Men’s Division One Grand Final will take place from 7.30pm at the Goulburn Worker’s Arena, between the Goulburn Stags and Marulan White.