July start date on the cards for Group Four Rugby League

By Group Four Rugby League media manager Geoff Newling and Blake Jarrett

Group Four Rugby League’s 2020 four-grade competition could start at the end of July and end with a unique ‘top eight showdown’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic which has delayed the season’s start.

The July 25/26 restart is the recommended ‘redraw’ clubs will be given after being approved by the Group Four Rugby League board, advised Group Four president Ray McCoy.

He and the Group Four directors have been in contact with all the clubs and received plenty of suggestions as “we await further directives from NSWRL as to the lifting of restrictions on community rugby league” and will forward their plan to the clubs.

“I’m in the process of preparing a draft competition draw for our 2020 season, once we have been given the green light to commence playing,” McCoy said.

“I have received a number of constructive suggestions from our clubs recently, all with merit, but I believe that Geoff Sharpe’s (Kootingal coach) is a winner.

“Subject to NSWRL approval, this would see us totally erase our round one draw and kick off fresh with our seven-game round two draw, on the dates already designated, or alternative dates if required.

“This would be followed by final 8/10 series with all teams having a shot at the title – first grade and under-18s – 1 v 8, 2 v 7, 3 v 6, 4 v 5; reserve grade and ladies’ league tag – 1 v 10, 2 v 9, 3 v 8, 4 v 7, 5 v 6.

“Once the ‘draft’ re-commencement plan has received board approval, we can provide our clubs with a starting point to aim for so that they can regather the playing group and be ready to play when required.”

McCoy said the late July restart still offered a good season.

“Everyone has sent us suggestions, it’s all been very constructive,” he said.

“Everyone has stayed positive so that we have got a strategy so that we are able to play if we are allowed to play. This also gives all the clubs an opportunity to get their players fit enough to be ready. What it has done is given everyone goalposts to aim at.”

McCoy said NSWRL directives will be followed at all times but if current restrictions are lifted the Group Four board will also address “club requests for their special days”.

“Rather than sit back and wait, let’s do our best to lead community rugby league forward,” McCoy added.

When the Group Four Rugby League season does restart the Narrabri Rugby League Football Club’s first grade team will be coached by Ashley Hynch, who has taken over from Daniel Jobson who recently stepped down from the role due to personal reasons.

Hynch said that he was in favour of all eight first grade teams qualifying for the finals series but thought a more even system should be adopted, with 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 qualifying games and 5 v 8 and 6 v 7 elimination games in the first week of the finals.

He added that he could not wait for the competition to begin.

“Me and millions of other people love footy, but I guess you never realise quite how much you do until it gets taken away,” he said.