First grade coach Gerard Toscan said if Duncan was considering going to league, he would be a loss to the code.

“He (Mick) is an Aussie rules footballer and I think he would have more regrets by say, not going down and playing in the Ovens and Murray League than playing rugby league.”

When combined, the players loss will put back the teams planned progression in pre-season training, with time needed to be allocated to identify suitable replacements for the missing stars. The Swans president said the club knew some of the players were looking to move away for reasons other than football.

“Well Luke, his situation was out of our hands, and we knew Matt McDonald was looking for a game in the Albury league and if Michael does (leave) as well, that will leave a big hole in our side,” Duncan said.

The Swans have also lost the services of Joel Brown for the 2008 season, with the tall half-

forward moving to Adelaide for work-related reasons.

The Swans depth in the on baller position will be tested by the men’s departures, with all playing a vital role, which Duncan described as the “engine room” of the local side.

Compounding the problems posed by an exodus of players, is the fact the Swans have not been able to attract any new blood to the club, a fact that has frustrated Duncan over the past few months.

“We haven’t been able to recruit anybody. Our recruitment officers have been out there talking to people but I think they (possible recruits) are playing one (club) against another,” he said.

Duncan also believed richer clubs held too much sway when it came to luring top talent to country areas.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on the local guys that are part of the team,” Duncan said.

“If there are some younger guys that want to step up then they can, but our main concern is getting a side on the paddock and worrying how competitive they will be, when the first game comes around.”

Toscan urged these younger players to come to training, saying much of the training sessions so far focuses on development of skills.

“I can’t have my chained yanked, some of these guys just have to get there (training),” he said. “There are some guys that played 18s last year that are prepared to chew glass and eat bricks (to make first grade) and they will be given opportunities in the one’s.”

Swans pre-season training is on at Collina on Monday and Friday and Jubilee Oval on Wednesday, starting at 6pm.