Commencing the Group 4 season in early May would expose players to an increased risk of injury due to them not being fit enough because of the current training ban, warns Bears enforcer Josh Schmiedel.
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Group 4 chairman Ray McCoy has confirmed that he was still targeting a May 2 start to the season despite teams being barred from training until the end of April because of strict social distancing rules. He will, however, await any further developments or advice from the NSWRL.
Schmiedel, a two-time NSW Country representative, said keeping the scheduled start date would make it "hard" on players.
"I know everyone is eager ... and just want to get on that paddock. I'm one of them," he said.
"But we have to be realistic and responsible in making sure every team and player has some form of suitable fitness ... to prevent injuries."
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Schmiedel believes that a four-week preseason would be "adequate"
He said teams would also use that time to prepare game plans and shape their structures.
Players used the preseason to not only get physically fit but also "get the mind ready", he said, adding that the players were "pretty frustrated" by the training ban.
"But we all realise it's a precaution that we all have to do to help everybody."
The 33-year-old had hoped to use the Jack Woolaston 9s as a guide to determine if he would play this season, but the March event was cancelled due to the epidemic. He expects 2020 will be his last season.
McCoy said clubs had told him that it would be up to each player to stay in shape during the shutdown.
He said clubs had programs in place that enabled players to "maintain and improve their fitness levels, ready for our competition to kick off on May 2/3".
A two-round competition and finals series had been scheduled, he said, adding: "But should that [start] date be blown out, we have a number of attractive options available." He did not elaborate.
How long the preseason should be if the season commences has been a topic of discussion in NRL circles. While Central North Rugby Union president Tony Byrnes told the Leader this week that the organisation's slated May 2 season launch would not happen.
He said: "If the ARU says we're right to go, we might find we go into a training mode and look at a comp further down the track. You've got to remember clubs can't train. You can't say the ban is over, we're playing the next week."
