SEVERAL Group Nine clubs are expected to oppose the introduction of a new premiership draw for the 2017 season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Already Tumut has raised concerns about the draft draw and is likely to lead the chorus to have it vetoed at the Group Nine annual general meeting in October.
Group Nine operations manager Peter Ryan is the architect of the fresh premiership schedule and wants to see it implemented.
Despite the anticipated opposition, Ryan is confident the draw will receive the backing of the majority of Group Nine clubs.
“It (draw) should be ratified at the AGM,” Ryan said.
“The clubs will vote on it and they will decide the verdict.”
The current Group Nine draw has been in place for two years and has also had its opponents.
Amid talk of shortening the season to 14 rounds or even extending it to 20 rounds, the new draw sticks to the current 18-round format.
Under the draft proposal, the 2017 season would start on the weekend of April 1-2.
And in a bid to give the season a booming opening, the first round would involve games featuring intense rivals such as Tumbarumba v Tumut, Junee v Cootamundra and Southcity v Kangaroos.
Ryan believes the “dream draw” would set up the Group Nine premiership for the rest of the year.
“I’m positive it would generate a lot of interest,” he said.
Ryan, however, said Tumut was trying to have an alternative draw implemented.
“They’ve (Tumut) had a crack at their own draw and will bring it to the AGM,” Ryan said.
“They don’t like the draft (draw) because they only get to play Gundagai once in the season, and they think it will have a financial impact.”
Like other notable rivalries, clashes between the Tigers and Blues are a bonanza for the two clubs, regularly attracting gates of $5000 or more.
In the proposed draw, Gundagai will play Tumut at Anzac Park on June 17, but there would be no return game at Twickenham.
Significantly, officials from two other Group Nine have also shown some disquiet about the proposed draw.
With the season tentatively booked to start on April 1, the grand final is penned in for September 10 at Equex Centre.
Along the way, general byes have been included for Easter (April 15-16) and the Queen’s Birthday (June 12).
ROUND 1 – 2017
April 1
Southcity v Kangaroos at Harris Park
April 2
Temora v Albury at Nixon Park
Gundagai v Young at Anzac Park
Junee v Cootamundra at Laurie Daley Oval
Tumbarumba v Tumut at Tumbarumba Showground
Brothers (bye)