CDRL looks at options as suspension extended
A CONFERENCE system, everyone plays each other once and a full home and away season remain on the table for the Cairns District Rugby League after kick-off was pushed back another month.
The Queensland Rugby League extended the suspension of all community rugby league games and training until June 1.
That’s in addition to all four statewide competitions being cancelled for 2020.
CDRL secretary/operations manager Pat Bailey has kept herself busy since moving out of the Barlow Park administration office due to restrictions in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus, devising three draws for when the competition can return.
Bailey fully expects CDRL clubs to take the field this year.
But if the full draw is maintained, as has previously been the indication, it could push the season into November.
It means the grand final could be played in traditional pre-season territory.
If that doesn’t go ahead, two shorter options will be explored.
The first is simply that each team will play each other just once, while the other could see the competition split into conferences to formulate a draw.
If one of the shorter options is ultimately implemented, the full 2020 draw will be transferred to 2021.
In announcing the further suspension of the season, QRL managing director Robert Moore said it would only happen if football was deemed safe for “all participants, volunteers and their families”.
Moore said the QRL would continue to monitor the government’s advice closely in a concerted effort to communicate with stakeholders as often as possible.