Blayney Bears president Damon Taylor believes the "resilient" Bears are better equipped than most to roll with the punches, and they'll have to be to handle the latest blow in the lead-up to the 2020 Group 10 season.
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The club went public on the weekend saying it had not heard from big-name off-season signing Siosaia Vave since before Christmas, with the former Parramatta, Manly and Cronulla prop failing to answer or return any phone calls from the Bears' committee.
After the club spoke in the Sydney press, Vave re-emerged on Monday, calling the Bears to express his desire to appear with the club still, but Taylor said he "won't be playing" in Blayney this season.
The club is also keen to have a signing bonus repaid.
Vave landed at Blayney in late September as the club looked to put a winless 2019 behind them.
"He came out to our presentation night and ... we thought we'd hit the jackpot," Taylor said.
"We're not the only club that gets caught like this, but for us coming off a few tough years it hits hard.
"We've been a club that's rolled with a few punches the last couple of years. We're resilient. There's still plenty of optimism around the club."
Taylor said the club was close to signing a replacement player for 2020.