Several mentors including Des Hasler stated they would not allow their players to be selected for fear of injury leaving Fittler unable to name a 17-man side.

City were forced to delay naming their side by half a day as Fittler scrambled to find players who were eligible.

"At the moment we're hearing a lot of negative news from clubs not willing to release their players," Fittler told Fox Sports.

"But on the other hand I spoke to Anthony Griffin (Panthers), Shane Flanagan (Sharks) and Trent Barrett (Sea Eagles) who are all willing to release some of their players.

"So it's good to see it's not across the board.

"But you talk about self interest and it is a problem.

Eels player David Gower has spent most of the year in reserve grade but made City's run-on side.
 

"They didn't bother to put any power around who could play and who couldn't play and it's a massive oversight and it turns it into a farce."

Rugby league great Mark Geyer felt for Fittler as he named an inferior side.

"My good mate Brad Fittler, when he rings every City player on a Sunday night and he can't get 17 players to play for City, that worries me a lot," Geyer said on the Triple M Grill Team.

City: Matt Moylan, Clinton Gutherson, Nathan Ross, Tyrone Peachey, Josh Addo-Carr, Bryce Cartwright, Chad Townsend, James Tamou, Cameron McInnes, Paul Gallen, Curtis Sironen, David Gower, Hame Sele, Joseph Paulo, Nathan Cleary, Pauli Pauli, Jake Marketo.

Country: Michael Gordon, Anthony Don, Euan Aitken, Cheyse Blair, Brian Kelly, Cody Walker, Tyrone Roberts, Dale Finucane, Damien Cook, Paul Vaughan, Mitch Aubusson (c), Kyle Turner, Jack De Belin. Int: Connor Watson, Matt Prior, Tariq Sims, Adam Elliott, Daniel Alvaro (18th man).