The board has locked in their plans for a return after consulting with clubs.

Group Nine had initially proposed to finish the season by October 17 but have extended that after adopting a four-stage plan depending on when the lockdown ends.

The first two stages, which cater for the lockdown ending on September 10 and September 17 respectively, will retain the top-five finals structure.

All stages allow for two weeks of training before the finals start.

If the current lockdown is not extended past next week, the first week of finals will be played over September 25 and 26.

October 17 is the earliest the grand final will be played with stages two, three and four all having the grand final date of October 23.

READ MORE

Stage three, which comes into effect if the lockdown ends on September 24, will see a reduction to four teams to play a three-week finals series.

The loser of the clash between the top two sides will receive a second chance in the preliminary final.

If lockdown extends another week, the length of the finals series is reduced to two weeks with the winner of both semi-finals progressing to the grand final.

A fifth stage, which would see a two-week finals series conclude on October 30, is also a possibility depending on the climate.

That stage is yet to be confirmed but Group Nine chairman Andrew Hinchcliffe still wants to keep options open.

"We've worked through a bit of a process over the last couple of weeks to consult with clubs, the board requested clubs consult with their playing groups, supporters and volunteers to test how far we could push it," Hinchcliffe said.

"We're trying as hard as we can to get to playing finals and it would be really disappointing if we don't get to.

"We wanted to give ourselves the best possible chance and obviously working that through has allowed us to extend a couple of weeks onto what we initially proposed a few weeks ago.

"I think we've got to a stage where any additional extensions are really pushing the limit of people's expectations and other priorities.

"I'm really pleased we are able to come up with a good plan."

At this stage Hinchcliffe has ruled out playing a straight grand final between the top-two teams.

It was part of their initial proposal but the preference is now to try to retain more of a finals feel.

"We're appreciating there that the government's messaging at the moment is that additional freedoms will be in place in mid October so we know we are close to possible action time so we thought we would throw in a to be confirmed by clubs date," he said.

"We had previously suggested that a top-two would be appropriate but the additional week's extension would allow us to play a better finals format in the express top-four mode.

"We thought that was a much better outcome and better for safety to give clubs an opportunity of having a game before the grand final."

For an October 30 grand final date, the lockdown needs to be ended by October 1.

Group Nine have also addressed concerns over restrictions on crowds with pre-sale ticketing to be explored.

Live streaming will also be utilised.

"We were always going to be including live streaming in our finals format based on the success of the live streaming and the pay-per-view last year," Hinchcliffe said.

"We we had people from all around the world, which is kind of a bit weird but also great to see the interest of rugby league from the Group Nine area.

"We were always going to have it and with the possibility of crowd restrictions it will make the live streaming an even more important part of our finals plan."