The Moree Boars could be a "new" club in Group 4 next season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Currently in Group 19, the Boars have requested Group 4 look at taking them back in 2020.
The club recently applied to rejoin the Group 4 competition it has won four first grade titles in - 1988 (Gunnedah 32-28), 1989 (Narrabri 16-15), 1999 (West Lions 32-20) and 2002 (West Lions 34-18).
Group 4 chairman Ray McCoy tabled their request at the recent Group 4 general meeting at the Tamworth Services Club.
Read also:
"They sent a request e-mail requesting we consider their application," McCoy said. "However they must satisfy our requirements."
Group 4 clubs present at the general meeting considered the application. A final decision on the proposal will be made at the upcoming Group 4 AGM, but the clubs saw no obstacle hindering Moree's return to the Group.
"There are a number of good reasons to let them rejoin Group 4," McCoy said. "For one, it would take away the current bye and give us eight first grade clubs.
"Even if we approve it, the CRL still has to endorse it. That shouldn't be a problem as Moree are a former Group 4 club."
Moree Boars club president Todd Mitchell said the application to join Group 4 will be sent to the Group 4 AGM and he hopes the bid is approved.
It is expected that Moree would field sides in all four grades, although Mitchell said the club "struggled a little for reserve grade players".
But he added: "Once the word got out that we were applying to return to Group 4, I had seven or eight telephone calls from previous players who were playing rugby union or in other competitions [and who expressed an interest in returning to the Boars]."
The Boars finished fourth in first grade last season, and then Narwan beat them 33-32 in the elimination final.
The club had more than 120 people attend their recent presentation night.
The Boars juniors made the Group 19 grand final, only to be beaten by Tingha.