Group 16 chairman Allan Wilton commended a small hard-working team who devised an effective draw from what he said was “a near-impossible position”. 

“It has been a challenge to devise an even spread of the two rounds because of the additional teams in the second grade,” Mr Wilton said. 

The draw has been oriented to fit around the clubs that have all four grades with the larger second grade comp played to suit that calendar. 

There are two extra clubs in the women’s and reserve grade fixtures aside from the first grade draw with the Candelo-Bemboka Panthers and the Tathra Sea Eagles standing alone with reserve and league-tag outfits. 

Despite the challenges, Mr Wilton said the group who coordinated the draw had done a fantastic job.

Previously there were rounds where league-tag clubs would have to play two matches in a single day, but under the proposed draw, these would be kept to a minimum. 

“A small team has done a wonderful job of compiling the match fixtures for the year,” he said. 

“It was a very difficult proposition to make it work.”

The draw is currently still in something of a fluid state, but would be finalised ahead of opening round fixtures this weekend. 

Mr Wilton congratulated the Tathra Sea Eagles on re-forming as a standalone reserve grade club with the re-introduction of a second grade and women’s team to the draw. 

He said it was also exciting as Group 16 would make a return to play in Tathra with four home rounds expected to be held at the Tathra Beach Country Club ground. 

The Sea Eagles had a few concerns about their playing numbers after a recent grading, but have persevered and will run out in round one. 

“It’s great to see Tathra back in the comp and we congratulate them on reforming,” Mr Wilton said. 

Group 16 has also asked clubs for expressions of interest with opportunities to host Saturday afternoon rounds. 

He said the group didn’t want to step on the toes of the minor league competition day, but splitting games across the weekend was a great way of calling on referees over both days. 

In other Group 16 news, Mr Wilton commended the three players named in the Monaro squad for the upcoming under 23s Country Championships. 

Andrew Ayers, Kyle Shepherdson and Luke Ingram were all named in an extended squad that will begin training on April 18. 

The Monaro contingent won the Country Championships last year and Mr Wilton said it looked like another strong outfit to contend the crown this year. 

“They will go well again I think and congratulations to our guys on their selection,” he said. 

In the first round of the season Bombala travels to Moruya to take on the Sharks.