The hangover of last year’s premiership victory has lingered throughout 2017, the Blues forfeiting three out of their 10 games this season.

Without a victory under their belt and coming off back-to-back forfeits, the decision has been made to withdraw from the competition.

According to club secretary Geoff Day, the problem’s been player numbers, with several members of the 2016 grand final side not going around in 2017.

“It’s been a hard year. We knew at the start at the season it was going to be difficult,” Geoff Day said.

“We battled at the beginning but we just don’t have the numbers anymore.

“If you look at our list we did have quite a few but we’re down to 11 or 13 and that includes blokes who weren’t going to play this year.”

Day admitted it’ll be difficult for the senior side to return to the paddock during 2018.

“We’re certainly going to try,” he said.

“It’s never been easy getting players over the years but it’s gotten to a point this year.

“Players have moved away, committed to work and then injuries.

“And we just don’t have the juniors coming through. It’s been difficult,” he said.

On a positive note, the club’s junior program is strong with the under 12s running second in the Central West competition, while women’s AFL in town is booming.