Narrabri have commemorated their 100-year centenary with their first first grade minor premiership in a long time after Group 4 officials decided to name minor premiers for the 2021 season.
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The board met last week to discuss and decide on the options for the COVID-hit season.
"We've decided to actually award minor premiers," Group 4 chairman Terry Psarakis told media on Tuesday.
"Twelve of the 14 rounds were completed so we felt that was enough to have a minor premiership."
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The Blues were awarded the first grade spoils after winning 10 of their 12 games, Manilla second grade, Dungowan the under-18s and Kootingal-Moonbi the ladies league tag in a photo finish.
Kootingal, North Tamworth and Dungowan all finished with 10 wins apiece. Rather than declare joint minor premiers the G4 Board (after a vote) elected to use for and against to decide the minor premiers.
The Roosterettes were the highest pointscorers, scoring 500 points and having just 103 scored against them. North Tamworth was second with 462-108 whilst Dungowan were third, scoring 400 but having the least scored against them (98).
Psarakis acknowledged the decision to award minor premiers wouldn't be "popular with everyone" but said it was a way to give sides recognition for their efforts over the season.
"It was probably the most even competition we've had in all grades to be honest so we were really looking forward to a very very big semi-final series," he said.
"Unfortunately that didn't happen and I'm sure all clubs are keen for next season."
He congratulated all the minor premiers, making special mention of the Blues for winning what is, he understands, their first minor premiership since 1990.
"They're in their 100th year as well so that's a great achievement by Narrabri," he said.
"They've tried very hard this season; the committee and the players."
The individual award winners and Group 4 Team of the Year will be announced at a later date.
A new initiative this year, the team of the year is designed to help select next year's Group 4 rep side.
"We have to announce a Group 4 team for next season for the rep season and the easiest way was to do it this way," Psarakis explained.
"We've come up with a concept that the coaches of each of the first grade sides actually pick the players in their position and if you're coaching a particular club you can't actually pick any player from your club."
"This team that's selected will be the nucleus of the Group 4 team for next year."
