The Moree Boars, the Walcha Roos and the Uralla Tigers all put their cases forward to transition into the competition at the Group's annual general meeting on Sunday.

After moving out of Group 4 in 2014, Boars president Todd Mitchell said "the time was right" for the club to make a return to Group 4.

READ MORE:

"We did have some pretty tough years there before we moved over to Group 19, but we're in a far better position now," Mitchell said.

"At this stage, we have had quite a few quality players express an interest of playing with us next season if we move back to Group 4.

"Our time in Group 19 has been good, but the club as a whole has indicated that it wants to move back and that's what we are trying to do."

At the meeting, travel times was one of several concerns raised about the Boars' submission. But Mitchell said he believed the club "could handle it".

"Travelling a few hours to play when you are losing can be really tough," he said.

"However, we are really confident we can give a good account of ourselves this season, give the competition a real shake and when you're winning, travel becomes a lot easier."

Unlike the Boars, the Roos' and Tigers' reasons for wanting to join the group stem from expected changes to Group 19's format.

The new format would see all senior teams pooled into one division before being split, which would be based on performance or where they are located.

Walcha Roos president Mick Aspinall said "keeping our club together" was his main priority.

"Basically we are exploring our options because Group 4 can't guarantee that our two teams will be able to play together on the same day," Aspinall said.

"We're a small community and if you are travelling to an away game, it's crucial for both teams to travel together.

"They wanted us to step up into a first-grade competition and we don't feel that's right for our club.

That's why we felt a potential move over to Group 4 would allow our teams to stick together and achieve some success."

Uralla Tigers president Steve Vanry said his club was in "pretty much the same boat as Walcha" but would decide on whether to file an expression of interest regarding a move to Group 4 at a club meeting on Monday.

"At this stage we're 99 per cent sure we want to come across," Vanry said.

"However, we do need to meet and ensure a move to Group 4 is supported by our club's majority and go from there.

"We know we will certainly be able to field two teams, but where our player numbers are at is also something we will have to discuss."

Much like 2019, next season is slated to begin in early May with the draw to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Group 4 chairman Ray McCoy said any new clubs would have to abide by the draw.

"We are very committed to making sure that all the clubs' teams will play together on the same day," McCoy said.

"A couple of years ago we had a situation where some clubs had some teams playing on one day and their other teams on another.

"It was problematic. So regardless of how many clubs we get, we will sit down, find the best format for the competition, hammer out a fixture as soon as we can, and go from there."

Meanwhile, Kootingal-Moonbi, Narrabri, North Tamworth, Dungowan and Gunnedah will field four teams in 2020.

Werris Creek and Boggabri will each field three sides, while Manilla and South West Robins will be fielding two teams.

Next season will also mark a return to action for the Barraba Bulldogs, who confirmed they would return to the competition after sitting out the 2019 season.