Group 10 will introduce its own magic rounds in 2021 if a radical alteration to this season's draw is accepted by clubs this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Group 10 board met on Monday night to thrash out a multitude of issues facing the game ahead of the new year.
NSWRL boss Dave Trodden was part of the meeting and indicated bus trips for longer away games would be funded while the cost clubs are currently hit with for insurances and registration is also being looked at.
The pre-season Indigenous All Stars game between Group 10 and Group 11 looks likely to be shifted to later in 2021 with the latter battling for numbers.
In good news, Lithgow Workies committed to fielding premier league and first division sides, ensuring the top grade remains at six clubs following the earlier withdrawal of both Blayney and Cowra.
The first division competition will have eight teams.
READ MORE:
However, eight reserve grade and six first grade sides - as well as the under 18s and league tag competitions that are set to be run as well - makes streamlining a draw a difficult task, forcing organisers to look at different ways to work the 2021 schedule.
Chairman Linore Zamparini said implementing three rounds on the calendar where all six first grade sides play at the one ground - effectively triple headers or a variant of the NRL's magic round, where all 16 clubs play at the one venue - is on the cards.
Clubs received the 13-round draft draw on Tuesday and will come back to the group with their thoughts on the new plan moving forward.
Zamparini, though, expects a groundswell of support for what will be a historic move ahead of a season that's already suffered its fair share of issues following the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the arrival of COVID-19.
"We think it's a pretty positive draw. We had to look at it, and we think trying new ways to get as much football in as we can is the right move," the Oberon-based chairman said.
"We're looking outside the box a bit, but we don't think there will be a big disruption for clubs."
We think it's a pretty positive draw.
- Group 10 chairman Linore Zamparini
Zamparini said all premier league clubs playing at the one venue in competition games would be a first for Group 10.
It's expected the double-header rounds will be schedule for Orange, Bathurst and potentially Mudgee throughout the year.
"It won't be easy to do and it's certainly not the norm, but what is at the moment," Zamparini said.
Zamparini said Workies had indicated at the meeting they were "confident" of being able to field all grades this year, a massive boost for Group 10.
Zamparini said round one of the new season will remain on the Anzac Day.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: