Yep said all along we’d get reserve grade back and likely a national u20’s program. Makes total sense. Both were only cut to save clubs money.
If reserves & under-20s return, it'll be interesting to see how State leagues fit into the equation.
Questions like...
* Should NRL teams be allowed State league teams under their own brand?
* What kind of contract/loan arrangements (if any) would apply to State league players? (Would there be some sort of feeder arrangement?)
* Would a "State Championship" (NSW Cup vs Qld Cup champions) still happen?
* Could we see expansion of State leagues to foster future expansion targets.. or even incorporating club sides from (for instance) Auckland club league into some competition with NSW & Queensland clubs?
Basically, if Reserve Grade is going to be 2nd tier of "open age" club footy - what does the 3rd tier then look like?