Clubs face some of their best players being unavailable for the grand final and have queried why the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union didn't have a plan B in place for wet weather.
One thing they were unanimous about - there are no winners from the situation.
The NHRU made the extraordinary call on Friday to push back the finals series by a week after two days of heavy rain made the surface at No.2 Sportsground unplayable for the elimination and qualifying semi-finals.
The women's and under-18s competitions were also disrupted.
Clubs were notified of the decision by email at 5.31pm on Friday.
The NHRU explored moving the games to alternate venues, but deemed none had the capacity to host the semis on short notice.
They also considered playing mid-week and the cancellation of the first round of play-offs, with the higher team progressing.
However, they determined the fairest way, while ensuring the integrity of the competition, was to postpone the finals series by a week.
The rescheduling, which now has the grand final set down for September 28, has major ramifications for players, coaches and volunteers.
Club coaches have expressed their disapproval at a lack of consultation and believe more could have been done to have the games played last weekend.
The Newcastle Rugby League, Northern NSW Football and AFL Hunter Central Coast arranged alternate venues for their play-offs.
"I understand how hard the decision was for them, but there has to be a plan B," Hamilton coach Scott Coleman said. "Every club, when wet weather is predicted for a Saturday, has a back-up plan, otherwise they have to play mid-week games during the season."
The top three sides, Hamilton, Wanderers and Maitland, are the most affected.
Hamilton breakaway Tieuti Asi flies out to Spain on September 24 to take up a playing contract, winger Potolaka Maake is due in camp with the Tongan sevens, while prop Geraint Weaver is one of three players who have holidays booked.
READ MORE: BIG WET FORCES NHRU TO DELAY FINALS SERIES
Minor premiers in all three grades, the Hawks will have had a three-week break between the final round and the major semi-final.
"I don't think they understand how many people plan things around that one date," Coleman said. "The administrators don't have to go to training on Tuesday, look these blokes in the eye and say 'sorry I can't do anything about it, you have wasted eight months training'. Two of our major sponsors won't be at the grand final. How can we turn around next year and as for more money?"
Wanderers also have two players heading overseas.
"I don't know what the process involved but it's the coach who has to deal with the human element," Wanderers coach Dan Beckett said. "Maybe our administration didn't realise that a decision to change the grand final has implications across so many. We need to get back to being a community rather than a business. In communities people come first. The disappointing thing is that there are no winners in this. Everyone is losing. It's disappointing and it is up to the clubs and individuals who are mentally strong, to see who comes out on top of it. But it is a big challenge."
Maitland prop Harrison Chapman and No.8 Travis Brooke are in the NSW Country squad which are playing in Adelaide on the new grand final weekend.
The Blacks have also had to postpone their presentation night which was set for Friday, September 27.
"It has effected us massively," Maitland coach Matt Thomas said.
"We had the bye in the final round, so it has been three weeks since we have played a game."
Thomas is adamant Maitland could have hosted both semi-finals last weekend.
"We would have been able to get a ground ready if they gave us the nod," he said. "We would have done anything to play. It was a big call but that is why we have a board. There are no winners. I don't think their are any winners for the NHRU either. Next time have a plan B.
"There is no point going on about it now. You just have to get on with it."
Merewether and Lake Macquarie, who finished fourth and fifth respectively, have not been impacted greatly and have used the extra week to get over niggles and better prepare.
"We are OK but there should have been a plan B in place," Merewether co-coach Mick Gill said. "It's something the union will learn from."
Lake Macquarie coach Gareth Polamo believed it was "up to the governing body to manage" the finals.
"If we had to play two games in a week, we would have done it," he said. "It just gives us another week to prepare and go through our attacking structures. That is a benefit for us. We can't wait to play."
The clubs are not the only organisations impacted.
The NHRU has been forced to move the Anderson Medal presentation lunch from September 15 to September 22. The minor semi-finals are now being held on the original date.
However, the Hawthorne Club's grand final luncheon, which has former Prime Minister Tony Abbott as guest speaker, will still be held on September 20.
