Newcastle Rugby League needs between two and four weeks to complete 2021 season post coronavirus lockdown

Officials now hope to resume competition with the finals series, however, any format and schedule will depend on when the Hunter region's coronavirus lockdown is lifted.

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The state government extended the public health order this week, having started on August 5 and finishing on Thursday at the earliest, meaning players find themselves sidelined again.

A worst-case scenario would be no more footy this year.

A best-case scenario sees the play-offs progress as per program but later than originally intended, the top five battling it out traditionally for the premiership over the course of a month.

In between lies a couple of options, but the smallest window needed is a fortnight with first-versus-fourth and second-versus-third in elimination encounters followed by the decider.

Timing becomes a key element.

Newcastle RL chief executive officer Charlie Haggett relayed that September 26 was the latest grand final date in recent discussions with NSW Rugby League.

August 28-29 is the first possible return, given that player welfare has been taken into consideration and teams allowed one week to prepare prior to getting back on the field.

"Even if we started on September 4-5, we could still get the full four weeks in," Haggett told the Newcastle Herald on Friday.

This weekend's scrapped fixtures will be called COVID draws, similar to previous rounds impacted by sidelined Central Coast clubs Wyong and The Entrance.

Newcastle RL released a statement on Thursday night.

"In accordance with the NSW government's extension of the lockdown/stay at home orders in the Newcastle LGA's we have decided, in conjunction with the NSWRL, that round 18 in the Denton Engineering Cup will no longer be played and the games within the round will become a COVID cancellation draw," Haggett said.

"Each team will be given one competition point each with zero for and against as all teams are impacted in the same manner.

"Contingencies for the final series to be played are in the process of being developed and will ultimately be determined based on lifting of the lockdown, allowing for a week of training in preparation for a competition restart.

"Once we have further information we will communicate what that looks like accordingly."

The top five - Maitland, Cessnock, Central, Macquarie and Wests - had already been locked in. The campaigns of Lakes (14), Kurri Kurri (10) and Souths (9) are now officially over with the Lions collecting the wooden spoon after appearing in last year's grand final.

Other rugby league competitions across the region - Newcastle Hunter, Group 21 (seniors), Newcastle, Maitland, Hunter Valley combined and Group 21 (juniors) - remain on hold with a decision about NSW community sport expected on Monday.

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