The fourth edition of competition will begin on September 18 and will feature an expanded eight rounds plus a top four finals series.

The competition will also feature a full campaign for under 12s as organisers look to capitalise on the interest created by under 13 development squads at some clubs last season.

"When we first started we only had three age groups ... so we are really getting there now," Platypi secretary Cas Hanrahan said.

"The longer season gives everyone more of a chance. It used to be about the fourth game the girls were really getting into it, especially the younger girls, it would be clicking and that fifth game was usually really, really good but then it was like 'Oh, that's it'.

"But now they get those extra games which is fantastic."

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The Platypi are still hunting for more under 12s, under 18s and opens players, while there has been huge interest for the under 14s and under 16s.

But in a good sign there will be plenty of familiar faces both in terms of players and coaches such as Kurt Hancock and opens mentor Kevin Grimshaw.

Hanrahan hopes that lays a solid foundation as the Platypi look to have a greater finals presence in the six-club competition.

"I'm really happy with the amount of girls coming back from last year, the retention rate is really good," Hanrahan said.

"Kev is really happy with the amount that he's got that are interested in opens, whilst it's not overboard it is better than last year. Claudia [McLaren] has dragged a few more girls in from rugby and Molly [Kennedy] is coming back as well.

"We've also picked up a few good players coming out of CSU, Amber [Hanrahan] is playing and Bek Giffin.

"For the 18s, it will be those girls who have played three seasons of football and are now 17 who make up the bulk of that team, so it will be exciting to see what they can do.

"Finals, yeah, that's the goal. If we could get two or three teams into the semis I'd be really happy, if we could get even one into a grand final I think I'd be ecstatic and I know the girls would be."

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