GROUP 19 President Mick Lewis believes Goondiwindi’s exit from the competition after only one year was done for the good of the Group.
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The Boars came on board at the start of last season and where given permission from the QRL to play two seasons.
“They were good Group members,” Lewis said.
“Armidale were going to go elsewhere if they stayed.”
Lewis said Goondi president Peter Rice made an honourable decision to go back to the Toowoomba league.
“Armidale was the home of Group 19 and they didn’t want to have that on their conscience,” Lewis said.
As Goondi left so did any chance of a merger with Group 4 or a Group 19 Second Division.
Group 19 will remain strong with eight definite starters and the possibility of 12.
Warialda has expressed some interest in reforming, as have Narwan.
Guyra is also attempting to come together and there has been whispers that Tenterfield is interested in leaving the Border League to play Group 19.
“We set out some criteria for Narwan to return,” Lewis said.
“They need financial viability and good administration and have to find players not from the Rams.”
Bingara also thinks they have enough to come back to life.
“They think they have enough to do it,” Lewis said.
The return of Bingara and Warialda to the fold could have a knock-on effect to grand finalists Inverell.
“There is four or five blokes from Bingara playing with the Hawks or Boars (Moree) that would have to go back,” Lewis said.
“Warialda have a few out there as well.”
The Guyra Super Spuds hit the grand final in 2012 before collapsing the following season.
Gwydir (Warialda/Bingara) did the same in 2013.
Uralla are also looking for a committee.
At the end of last season Carl Press announced he was stepping down from president and reports are they are scrambling to get a committee together.
Last year saw a return to the top grade for the Tigers, who also registered their first win with the 45-year-old president lacing up and going on to help in their historic 54-30 victory over Moree.