THE Group 3 rugby league season could be shorter in length next season if clubs choose to vote that way at November’s annual general meeting.
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Port City Breakers coach Digby Murray acknowledged there were both positives and negatives for having the season at its current length.
“By having a length of season as it is, it gives an opportunity to raise more money by having a few more home games,” he said.
“If I was on the committee I’d be about raising more funds, but as a player or coach I think you only need to play each other twice.”
The current 18-week season incorporates four weeks of a pre-season tournament at the start of the year which also doubles as being for premiership points.
Murray felt one of those weeks was a complete waste of time.
“It was played for no other reason than for the gate (takings) and to play-off for third or fourth,” he said.
The Breakers coach knows regardless of what the final outcome is in November, it would be a decision that wouldn’t please everyone.
“Whatever they do someone will complain, but I’d be happy just to play each other twice,” he said.
He acknowledged if the pre-season was scrapped, clubs would organise their own trials.
On the surface, the easiest way to shorten the season would be to not have the pre-season cup in 2017 which appears to be a possibility when the clubs gather at the end of the season to vote.
The group has played a pre-season for the past four years but secretary Barrie Smith said it wasn’t set in concrete for 2017.
“Some clubs don’t like the pre-season because it doesn’t involve the whole club. They’d rather organise their own trials,’’ Smith said.
“The pre-season could be put on the back burner next year.’’
Clubs opted for an 18-match season for 2016 at last November’s annual meeting. No free weekends were slotted into the draw. Mr Smith and Wingham delegate Craig Martin both warned at the time the competition would be too long. Both have since been vindicated.
Mr Smith said the competition has to accommodate the weaker clubs as well as the stronger.
“The top three get all the kudos, but the struggling clubs are just as important, or more important. They have to be looked after.”
Mr Smith will strongly be strongly recommending a two-round competition in 2017 and believes he will have support in clubland.
