The structure of the Castlereagh League competition could change should the Narromine Jets be successful in their bid to join in 2022.
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After opting against nominating for the western-wide Peter McDonald Premiership, the Jets have made an official proposal to join the neighbouring Castlereagh League.
The Jets will put forward their case at the competition's annual general meeting on November 28 before the existing nine clubs vote on the matter.
"They have put an application in," Castlereagh League secretary Bryson Luff said.
"The potential problem is we have nine existing clubs and 18 rounds. At the moment clubs get a couple of byes to give them a rest but if we have 10 clubs and go home-and-away that's a pretty long season before a five-teams semis.
"I think there will be talk of splitting our competition into two zones, east and west maybe."
At this stage, it's not certain if all nine existing clubs will field first grade teams next season and that will also impact the decision making when it comes to 2022 structure.
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The potential conference-style system could potentially pit Narromine against nearby neighbours Trangie as well as teams like Cobar, Coonamble and Gilgandra while Baradine, Binnaway, Gulgong, Dunedoo, and Coonabarabran could feature in an eastern group.
The matter will become clearer after the AGM while another matter Luff and the league is likely to look at when considering Narromine's bid is the impact on the Trangie Magpies.
The Magpies have struggled at times in recent years to field teams, and having a bigger town just 20 minutes down the road in the same competition could potentially affect player numbers.
"Trangie have struggled for a few years ... they have their AGM this weekend so we'll get a good indication of things there," Luff added.
The other option which faced Narromine for 2022 was staying in Group 11, but only fielding reserve grade and league tag sides.
That move would go against the competition by-laws, which state a club must field a team in every grade.
I think there will be a fair push from NSW Rugby League to put them in.
- Bryson Luff
Luff didn't want to comment on which way he thinks the Castlereagh vote will go, but he expects NSW Rugby League would be keen to see clubs accept the Jets' bid.
"I think there will be a fair push from NSW Rugby League to put them in," Luff said.
"I'm not sure where they would go, otherwise. I think that will be a consideration for all clubs and we don't want anyone to go without football but, at the same time, we don't want to gain one club if it means the loss of another one."
While having 10 clubs could bring some headaches, it is another sign of the growth and success of the Castlereagh League.
The competition has enjoyed growth in recent seasons with clubs returning and league tag numbers surging.
"People like their football out here and being an almost amateur competition, people might pay their captain-coach, it makes it more viable and sustainable for clubs. If it was open slather I don't think some of our clubs would exist," Luff said.
"We're on the right track and playing Saturday football is a bonus."
The Saturday tradition could also impact Narromine as the Jets, according to Luff, would prefer to stick to Sundays like in Group 11.
Luff and the Castlereagh League clubs will also discuss NSW Rugby League's planned Player Points System Index at the AGM but the cap isn't expected to have a major impact on teams.
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