Coaches, players prepare just in case Newcastle Rugby League premiership still up for grabs post coronavirus lockdown

The 2021 season remains on hold for a fourth straight week amid the Hunter region's ongoing coronavirus lockdown, but a premiership could be up for grabs if restrictions ease enough in time to allow a finals series.

Whether or not any more games take place is uncertain, however, the men in the middle are currently faced with the challenge of maintaining fitness without any sessions together as a group.

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Maitland, who have now officially re-signed former NRL playmaker Brock Lamb, were crowned minor premiers and coach Matt Lantry hopes the Pickers' title window hasn't closed this year.

"We're trying to keep a positive mindset and the boys are doing whatever work they can to stay in shape," Lantry said.

"There's a shot at a premiership and that doesn't happen every year. The last time for Maitland was 10 years ago. It's potentially a missed window."

Cessnock mentor Todd Edwards, who tasted success when the Goannas won last year's decider following a COVID-impacted campaign, questions how much time will be required to prepare if given the green light.

"As of this Saturday, we wouldn't have played for five weeks," Edwards said.

"If it [lockdown] goes another two or three weeks will a week [of training] be long enough to get ready? And how much freedom will we have straight away afterwards?"

Third-placed Central will simply "sit and wait" according to coach Phil Williams, who now hopes to have a full-strength squad available including playmakers Luke Walsh (hamstring) and Dylan Phythian (suspension).

Macquarie, who ended up one point behind in fourth after the last round was cancelled, expect Luke Higgins, Jeremy Gibson and Ben Roose to return from injury with mentor Steve Kidd saying "the players are still keen to get back on the park".

"It is what it is at the moment, but it's got to come to a head at some stage," he said.

Despite having won eight straight matches to secure a spot in the play-offs, Wests find themselves in the most difficult position with discussions around reducing the finals format from five to four if required to finish the season.

"It's very disappointing and we put ourselves in a position to finish fifth but I don't think anyone could foresee this happening," Rosellas coach Todd Lowrie said.

"I'm of the opinion that if someone doesn't get an equal opportunity to have a crack at it then I guess nobody should.

"But at the same time I'm also very mindful of the current climate that we're in and everybody just wants to play footy and if that can happen in some way then so be it."

Newcastle RL chief executive officer Charlie Haggett held talks with NSW Rugby League on Wednesday in regards to pushing any potential grand final back to the Saturday of the October long weekend.

COVID draws were introduced after round 12 when Central Coast clubs were first impacted by the greater Sydney outbreak. Eighteen games, including the entire last round, didn't go ahead.

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