In previous seasons, the Women's Northern League (WNL) has seen multiple blowouts.
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Macleay Valley Rangers went undefeated for two years as the usual suspects occupied the top of the table throughout those seasons.
Football Mid North Coast (FMNC) and clubs in the region decided it was time for a change and 2021 brought about a two tier system for the WNL with an A and B grade.
The Macleay Valley had Rangers, Saints and Upper Macleay Yowies represented in A grade while B grade saw a second Saints side and Lower Macleay Brumbies.
In the top competition, before community football was cancelled, Rangers sat three points clear in first with a game in hand while Saints were second.
Yowies were unfortunately last while B grade had the Brumbies in third and Saints fourth.
"I thought the split was a necessary move.. it worked well, I thought it's something they (FMNC) should continue and encourage to maintain that difference between what an A and B grade competition looks like," Saints coach Luke Flanagan said.
"It's definitely a step towards a future Women's Premier League, that's probably a few years away but that was definitely a good start.
"From what I saw, clubs and teams that participated would've seen the value of the split and hopefully it encourages player retention."
With thirteen teams nominated, the two tier format was made easier with Saints, Port United and Wauchope all entering two teams each.
Rangers 2021 coach Heidi Tamblyn said she found the competition rewarding after holding reservations early.
"I was a bit skeptical at first because some of those teams placed in B grade were fun to play against," she explained.
"It was a good idea to test it out and see how it went - in general the season worked pretty well.
"It wasn't so much that it was more competitive but every game you had to be on your toes, there was no guaranteed wins and if you weren't on your game there was a good chance you could lose."
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