The NRRRL competition typically boasts 13 strong teams, but this year there will only be 11 taking to the field.
Lower Clarence Mapgies deciding on Monday night to hang up the boots for the year.
Just 24 hours later, the Evans Head Bombers followed suit.
A return to contact training on July 1 – less than three weeks before the competition’s due to kick off – potentially physically harmful to players.
The decision taken, even though NRRRL President Mark Harrison thinks supporters will eventually be allowed back through the gates.
“I’m confident that the crowd numbers will change whether that’s next week or in July,” Harrison said.
The competition fixture will be drawn up over the weekend, before the board meets on Monday night.
All 11 participating clubs will meet face-to-face on Tuesday, June 23 – the first time that’s happened since February.
