A decision of when the season starts and the number of rounds to be played won't be made until the group's annual meeting at the Wingham Services Club on Sunday November 15, secretary Barrie Smith explained.

Mr Smith was replying to an item in Wednesday's Inside Sport column in the Times headed 'Three rounds of two,' following the release of two draft draws for next year by Mr Smith.

One draw was for a seven club, three round draw, the other an eight club, two round draw with a pre-season. The number of clubs will be determined at the annual meeting, depending on the success of Macleay's bid for readmission.

The Inside Sport item noted comments from a current first grade coach who wondered why the competition couldn't be played over three rounds even if eight clubs are involved. Mr Smith said this may well be the case.

"Nothing has been set in concrete regarding next year,'' Mr Smith said.

"There are two more drafts for next year going around in cyberspace. One is for a two-and-a-half round competition with a pre-season.''

He said nothing will be decided until the annual meeting. This includes the date for the start of the competition and the number of rounds. Mr Smith added that the draws are for discussion by clubs before the annual meeting so a decision can be made on the 2016 format. This gives club plenty of time to put arrangements in place for the next season.

"Having a couple of draws gives us a starting point,'' he added.

Mr Smith said if the annual meeting doesn't agree on a draw at the annual meeting, the decision would be put back until February, which he said is unsatisfactory.

This story first appeared in the Manning River Times.