While Group 4 has been left reeling by the news that major sponsors, the Wests Entertainment Group, are withdrawing all sponsorship for 2017, they might still be in for some more news as the Country Rugby League committee hold an informal meeting on Friday night.
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After years of talk about Group 19 and Group 4 merging it seems like the idea is on the table again, albeit with no immediate plans of action.
CRL media manager Adam Kidd said that at this stage it is an informal meeting to discuss the future of both competitions.
“It is not a talk about a merger but more a review of football in the region and competition structures,” Kidd said.
“There are a few teams in each competition that find it hard.”
That will now almost certainly include the Oxley Diggers and West Lions, who both lost their major sponsors and maybe even their home ground, Scully Park.
The CRL meeting will also involve the creation of a new full time role in the region to prevent similar things happening again.
A Community Engagement Sports Officer will be assigned to the Greater Northern Region.
"This person will help out with the governance and general running of the clubs,” Kidd said.
“That role will be kicking off as soon as we fill the position.”
“Hopefully within weeks.”
After violence sounded premature finishes to both the reserve and first grade grand finals, a Group 4 judiciary have investigated a total of 21 incidents from the day over two nights.
