The AFL Central West has proposed reducing the travel time for Dubbo, Parkes and Cowra by handing each of those sides an extra home game over the season to bring them to eight home and seven away fixtures.
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The league said in its priorities document aiming to ramp up its recruitment strategies in 2020, working with CSU across the region and giving each club individual assistance in the recruiting and retention of players, while also targeting schools for increased junior numbers.
Outside adding another tier, the league is exploring an option to "improve competitive balance" and reduce travel time by changing the amount of matches clubs would play against other sides.
For example, Orange might play the Giants and Bushrangers four times each, with three games against Parkes and two against each of Cowra and Dubbo, while Dubbo would play four matches against Parkes and Cowra, three against the Bushrangers and two against Orange and the Giants.
The Blues would play four away games in Bathurst and one each in Parkes, Orange and Dubbo, while Parkes would play away twice against Cowra and Orange.
Dubbo's first-grade side would play two games in Parkes and Orange, while the reserves would play four away games, two of which would be in Orange.
AFL Central West general manager Casey White declined to comment on the proposal, saying the league would issue a statement in the coming fortnight.
Numbers have been strong in AFL9s and the league and clubs are hoping to recruit from that pool - as well as increasing recruiting across the board - but it remains to be seen how effective it will be.
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Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
