For the first time the women will have the same number of teams as the men - six each - with the return of the Kangaroos and the Nomads.

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As reported in the Leader this week, the Narrabri Eagles are back in the men's competition after inking a joint-venture agreement with the Moree Suns for 2021.

The senor men's sides are the Gunnedah Bulldogs, the Tamworth Swans, the Armidale Nomads, the Inverell Saints, the Moree Suns/Narrabri Eagles, and the Tamworth Kangaroos.

The senior women's sides are the Gunnedah Bulldogs, the Tamworth Swans, the Armidale Nomads, the Inverell Saints, the Moree Suns and the Tamworth Kangaroos.

The under-17 and under-14 competitions - and, for the first time, a youth girls competition - are being finalised.

AFL North West said "an exciting opportunity" had been given to the under-17 competition "for crossover games with AFL North Coast".

"This will provide a stronger competition and development opportunities for our younger players that will benefit our local competition in the years to come," AFL North West said in announcing the draw on Thursday in a Facebook post.

In another first, the women will play last on grand final day this year.

The competitions start on April 17.

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