The earlier game for 2019 meant a move for the knockout tournament had to be discussed at the Bathurst Panthers annual general meeting, and a shift could force a later start to the Group 10 season.

While the decision still needs to be made in conjunction with Group 10 officials, Panthers’ Dennis Comerford – who was returned to his position as president – said an April 5 start for the pre-season knockout is the leading option.

“The regular season dates haven’t been finalised yet, because Mudgee’s also got the Charity Shield game on March 1. I would imagine Mudgee would like to run their nines competition some time between that match and the NRL game here,” he said.

“Blayney will want to run their under 18s knockout as well so it doesn’t give us much time in that window to organise anything. The most ideal then for us then would be to move our knockout to the weekend of the 5^th and 6^th of April.”

That move would see the regular season of Group 10 start on the following weekend – one week later than it did in 2018.

“It’s all still up in the air for what way Group 10 would go,” Comerford said.

“If they decide to have a general bye on the Easter weekend it means you’ve played one round of football then you’re straight into a general bye.

“Those decision will be made at Group 10’s AGM on the 4^th of November.”

Panthers are planning to play their opening round Group 10 premier league game as a curtain-raiser for the NRL fixture. All other grades would play the following week.

No opponent has been decided yet.