Premiership-winning hooker Liam Higgins reckons next season could be extended to 21 rounds and has backed Newcastle Rugby League's decision last week to cancel the top flight premiership for 2020.
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Higgins, now at Macquarie after helping Souths win the grand final four years ago, said clubs would have felt the financial hit well into the future if first grade went ahead amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
The former NSW Cup player at Manly also questioned the validity of lining up for the proposed shorter campaign and believes 2021 should now kick off early to make up for lost time.
"I believe it was the right call in the end," Higgins told the Newcastle Herald.
"Financially most clubs would have taken a massive hit, which would have then meant season 2021 was affected as well.
"Also, I believe only playing 10 games means it isn't an actual competition anyway and would always have an asterisk next to it.
"We should have a longer competition next year. Play 21 games and start in March to make up for no season this year."
Higgins said he will probably skip any alternate open grade put on by Newcastle RL regardless of whether or not it was given the green light by the state government and NSW Rugby League.
"I probably wouldn't play if it wasn't a first grade competition, I think for me the motivation wouldn't be there," he said.
"I love my footy, but I think this year is too far gone."
Sam Keenan, who recently returned from playing in France after collecting his maiden title with Western Suburbs last year, said he would likely sit out of any prospective replacement.
"Devastated we're not able to play, I was hoping for a shortended season," Keenan said. "I think I'll take this year off, time to give my body a much needed rest and reset for next year."
However, Newcastle Rebels representative captain Alex Langbridge wants to get on the park with new club Maitland at some stage even if the Pickers entered a different competition.
"I will play in whatever competition Matland is entered in, be an open grade or potentially Ron Massey Cup," Langbridge said.
"If it's an open grade competition hopefully it will be to a decent standard and it's a good opportunity to show that we are proud to represent Maitland regardless of payments.
"Playing in the Ron Massey Cup would be a great chance to test ourselves and show the Sydney teams the strength of the Newcastle competition.
"Either way I will just be happy to get on the park and play some footy."
Central's Cameron Anderson said he was "shattered with the news" that Newcastle RL would not run a premiership for the first time since back-to-back years in 1917 and 1918.
Newcastle RL made the announcement on Friday following a board meeting the night before. Clubs didn't unanimously support a $200 cap for player payments.
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