Group Nine are still waiting on government advice to come through NSW Rugby League but are planning on a top four finals format in 2020.
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While reverting back to the top five last season was a big winner, particularly financially, and remains the preference for the board, the desire of clubs for the season not to extend into October will see another finals change.
Group Nine chairman Peter McDermott is unsure how long the finals will run for at this stage, with options for both two weeks and three weeks a possibility, but less than half the clubs will make it through to the business end of the season if the competition gets started.
"Some of the clubs requested not having a long series," McDermott said.
"If we have a season to get it over and done with one round and they don't want it pushing too far into the warmer months when it starts clashing with things.
"Whatever they are happy with we will go with.
"We are not too worried.
"To get footy up top four or top five didn't make too much difference for us.
"The board would be happy with a top five as it is one of our major revenue raisers but we are easy and have to work with everyone in these new times we are going through."
Access for crowds is still a major concern for Group Nine and the clubs.
No meetings have been held as the game remains in limbo but the board is happy to put options in place in the meantime.
"We were waiting until NSWRL make their announcements on what is going to come as it is the logical sequence of events but a few of the clubs have started to get a bit itchy so we've started organising things," McDermott said.
"We can organise basics if we all agree on a one-round comp and a top four.
"There is a couple of variations on the top four, whether it is two weeks or three weeks, but hopefully we can get an agreement on that in the next few weeks regardless of what NSWRL and government say.
"We will have something in place and can add things or it will be footy as normal. One of the two."
It comes as clubs were told to wait before being allowed to return to training.
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