Instead of hosting matches where Group 4, 19 and 21 representative sides play-off, individuals were invited to trial at the Greater Northern Academy sessions.

Coach Mick Schmiedel said 51 players turned up to the initial session with 40 at the final trial on Sunday.

"Some of the decisions were very, very hard; they weren't easy to make," he explained.

"Some good players missed out, which is quite sad, but unfortunately somebody has to miss out.

"If we had more game minutes we would probably take a bigger squad.

"However, we only get 25-minute halves.

"So, even with a squad of 22, it's still going to be difficult to give everybody some decent game time.

"When you get 40 girls turn up to the final training session - and your trial - and you have got to cut 18 of them, you are in a very good position.

"The good thing from my point of view, the 18 who missed out could have quite easily been there."

Group 21's Kate Brown (Murrurundi), Gaynor Blackadder (Merriwa), Caitlin Albury (Aberdeen), Shai Blackadder (Merriwa), Shae Pemberton (Muswellbrook), Hannah Rando (Murrurundi), Brooke Davis (Murrurundi) and Lucy Prudden (Merriwa) made the cut.

There was an emphasis on defence throughout the trials, according to Schmiedel.

"Just on some of the girls that missed out, what I would like to say is when we looked at the squad, we had like-for-like and we went with the player that we thought was a bit better defensively," he said.

"For me, defence is all about attitude, everybody attacks naturally but when it comes to defence it will be what wins games."

Last year was the first time women have had full contact rugby league in the Country Championships.

For a lot of the 2019 Tigers team, it was the first time playing 13-a-side, too - and they bowed out before the finals.

Eight of that squad have been chosen again and Schmiedel believes their experience, combined with an increase in training, will see them fair better.

"I am happy with the squad," he said.

"I think it is probably a bit more balanced side than last year.

"In regards to the championships we are going to be well in front of 2019.

"We only had four training runs.

"This year we have had three academy runs and we will have another training run this weekend.

"I think last year if we had one trial before the championships started we would have been a little bit better."

As for the ones who missed out, Schmiedel hopes they will come back and trial again next season.