Some rugby league supporters believe the code won't survive in the Highlands without an amalgamation, while others are adamant the current club structure is definitely workable – albeit with an injection of resources and new ideas.
Among the latter are Greg Maloney and Grant Russell.
Maloney is club president of the Bowral Blues and resolutely believes those who support club amalgamation are "flogging a dead horse."
"They've been talking about this for a decade and they need to understand that it won't happen," he said. "It's failed before and it would again."
Maloney attempted to revive Bowral's senior team for the 2004 season and while he was unable to raise sufficient numbers in time, he is still certain the Highlands can support four clubs.
"The area is big enough to support that number of clubs and, with greater emphasis on development, could probably field a few first grade teams," he said.
He then added that the formation of a single Highlands club could be disastrous for Group 6.
"There are 12 clubs in the group at the moment and only four of them could be considered strong. I can't understand the people who think we would be better off with only eight clubs," he said.
"No, the focus for making things better for league has to be elsewhere."
As far as Maloney is concerned, this 'elsewhere' includes an investment in junior development and schools, and the upgrading of grounds and facilities.
"Look, I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I feel the local clubs, those who run the group, Country Rugby League and the NSW Rugby League should all work a lot harder to promote the game," he said.
"There is only one development officer from Warragamba to Batemans Bay and he needs more assistance," Maloney said. "We need NRL clubs to visit schools and things like that.
"I know it all costs money, but you need to invest in sport these days or you lose out to other codes.
"And rugby league in the Southern Highlands is currently losing.'
Secretary of the Moss Vale Dragons, Grant Russell, echoed Maloney's sentiments.
"We (Moss Vale) have discussed this issue many times and we don't want to combine with the other clubs," he said.
"The feedback we get from our sponsors is that they don't want a single Highlands team and we believe we are building our strength and have a bright future.
"That's not to say we are 100 per cent opposed to the idea. It's just that we won't support it until there is a solid plan in place and we can be convinced it would be successful.
"That hasn't happened."
There is one area of common ground between Maloney and Russell and the supporters of club amalgamation.
"A second division would be the best answer," said Russell. "It would allow the current clubs to all be involved to suit their standard. They would all just have to sit down with the group to work it all out"
Maloney also said the clubs, particularly those in the Southern Highlands, needed to get together and thrash out some solutions for the code – but there was one issue he wouldn't discuss.
"Having some round table is a good idea," he said. "As long as it doesn't involve talking about combining local clubs.
"That isn't the answer."
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