Game on: Radical plan to save Gold Coast league season

THREE different draws with three different starting dates … and no finals.

THREE different draws with three different starting dates … and no finals in juniors.

Rugby League Gold Coast is preparing for every contingency amid the coronavirus pandemic, with officials drafting schedules to suit all scenarios in the coming months.

With junior and senior competitions on hold until at least June 1, RLGC chairman Peter Daley and his team have made plans based on how long it takes to get back on the field.

One outcome is a likely 14-week season starting on June 1, another is 12 rounds from July 1 and a third from August 1 and possibly just eight rounds.

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While senior clubs have expressed an interest in retaining a finals series – most likely to be a four-team, two-week format – juniors will play first past the post.

Daley said the reception to the ideas has been positive as clubs merely eye getting back on the field.

“Obviously the longer (we have lockdowns) the less games they play,” he said of the three possible season formats.

“If we do get on the paddock it won’t have finals but we’ll have gala days, just so we can get the kids as much football as possible.”

Daley conceded the revenue of a full four-week finals series in seniors remains an appealing prospect despite the tight scheduling.

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“The clubs have said we’re just happy to get players back on the paddock,” he said.

“I don’t think the juniors would mind not having finals; the seniors might.

“The feedback is ‘just keep us updated and we’ll be ready to go’.”

Parkwood Sharks president Ronan Byrne hailed the league’s coordination.

“The RLGC have kept up informed and have asked for our questions to hand up to the QRL as to what’s going to happen,” he said.

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“They have been very proactive and have brought out a sliding scale for when the season may start.”

The RLGC is no closer to finalising what happens with junior fees but Daley said the initial fears of parents are slowly been laid to rest.

“We have been to the QRL and they have been sourcing information about how much (junior players) will get back,” Daley said.

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“We’re waiting on those results to come back but it looks like there’s a good chance some or most of it (the fees) will stay there for next year.

“Some parents are saying ‘leave it there and that will be my fees for next year’.”