GAME ON: Group Nine to play eight-round season in 2020

Despite Temora and Cootamundra withdrawing due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis, the remaining clubs agreed to kick off on July 18.

The draw will see one full round plus an extra game.

It allows for all clubs to host four home games with the draw to be designed to have a second round of some of the marquee clashes.

A top four finals has been put in place, spanning over three weeks with the grand final to be played at Equex Centre on September 27.

Group Nine chairman Peter McDermott declared the decision a victory for rugby league.

"It was a very positive meeting, all the clubs were very positive and I see it as a huge win for rugby league and country sport," McDermott said.

McDermott expects to have a first grade draw completed by the end of the week.

However it may take longer for the lower grades to be finalised with clubs still taking stock of overall player numbers for the under 16s, under 18s and reserve grade competitions.

"We'll have to do some work on the under 16s and under 18s as regardless they were short of numbers in the normal draw," McDermott said.

"Like we did last year we will play around to maximise as many games for them as we can."

McDermott believes a better indication of reserve grade will come through in the next week with a lot of players waiting for a more concrete decision to be made.

As of Saturday, clubs are able to train in groups of 20 following the return to play guidelines.

"Players now know it is on again and if they want to come back and play they can," McDermott said.

"We will have to wait and see over the next couple of weeks but they are all positive.

"If we can run a comp in every grade even with a few short in them it won't be the first time.

"We'll work it out."