Old Bar moved initially for a two round competition. This would be 14 games. However, clubs were of the opinion this was too short and the motion was defeated.

Taree City president Mal Dixon then pushed for a three round, 21 game campaign but the feeling of the meeting was that this was too long. There was also concern that the grand final wouldn't be played until September 18, clashing with matches in the NRL finals series which could impact crowd figures.

Wingham's Craig Martin moved for a 2 round season with the half round to be played north-south.

"I know at Wingham our biggest crowds are generally when we play other southern clubs. I'd expect that would be the same for the northern clubs,'' he said.

Martin also argued that there has to be a free weekend in the season for clubs.

"Otherwise it's a long year,'' he said.

He agreed there would be concern that clubs wouldn't play each other the same amount of times.

"But that's the way the NRL works,'' he reasoned.

Group Three president Wayne Bridge pointed out there were a number of complaints from coaches throughout 2015 about the stop-start nature of the season. This was caused to some extent by the bye which would be solved in 2016 with the inclusion of Macleay Mustangs.

"But remember it's you clubs who decide how many games we play,'' Mr Bridge added.

Playing an uneven number of rounds troubled some clubs.

"Some clubs would get nine home games and others eight,'' a delegate said.

Mr Bridge said this would be a concern and it was suggested the competition could be locked in for a two year commitment, with the draw reversed the second year

"Clubs that have nine home games next year would have eight in 2017,'' it was noted.

However, eventually Macleay Valley's Bruce Cain suggested an 18 game season with a round of north-south matches followed by another from 'outside the zone.'

"That will give clubs nine home games,'' he said.

This gained the approval of the meeting.

The weekend of April 2 and 3 will be the kickoff, with the first three games to count as a pre-season but with full competition points.

The pre-season final will be stand alone and will be played on Sunday May 1 at a venue to be determined.

The competition-proper will then resume on Saturday/Sunday May 7 and 8. Grand final day will be Sunday September 11. There will be play on the June long weekend.

Only Macleay Valley and Forster-Tuncurry have opted to play Sunday fixtures. However, Group Three secretary Barrie Smith said other clubs will have to play some home games on a Sunday due to a lack of referees.