ST George Illawarra have already turned their focus to 2021 after a disappointing NRLW season.
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The Dragons, featuring Stingrays of Shellharbour's Teagan Berry, closed out the competition with a 22-10 loss to the Warriors on Saturday afternoon.
Entering the game with just 16 players, St George Illawarra fought hard, but they were outclassed by a much-improved New Zealand side.
The Dragons were on the back foot before the season had started, with a round one loss to the Roosters leaving their grand final chances hanging by a thread in the three-game competition.
"It's probably a bit too early to grab a couple of new teams," coach Daniel Lacey said.
"It's probably ready for it, but it's too early financially and with these COVID times it's probably a bit hard to forward plan a new team or two new teams coming into the competition.
"But definitely if the men can do 20-odd rounds, I think we can at least do six.
"We now know a little bit more in the environment through COVID and it's a bit more stable.
"I think that will be what we try to achieve next year."
The NRL had planned on doubling the length of the season this year, with a six-round competition mooted.
That was before the coronavirus struck, the pandemic leading to the real possibility there would be no NRLW in 2020.
Dragons centre Jess Sergis said all involved are grateful to have had the opportunity to play this season and with the quality of play only continuing to improve, she's optimistic expansion remains on the table.
"It was a very tough season, but enjoyable at the same time," Sergis said.
"Going into this year we didn't know if we were going to have an NRLW premiership to play.
"We're all grateful that we're able to play some footy and still be able to keep the competition going.
"We're just really happy with how it's going, hopefully we'll be able to double the rounds next year and go from there."
Keeley Davis agreed with her centre's views, the five-eighth eager for teams to have the opportunity to build their way into the season.
The benefits of such a situation were clear on the field on Saturday, the Warriors building with each game they played.
Had they had six matches instead of three, a maiden grand-final berth could have been on the cards.
For the Dragons, a significant injury toll prevented such improvement.
"Especially this year with such a crazy prep, it's frustrating for a team like ours where we lost so many key players," Davis said.
"We just couldn't put it together, so that's frustrating.
"It's such a pressurised situation in those three games, you really have to be on and if you're not there's no forgiveness.
"I am really looking forward to the expansion, players can settle and we can make changes if necessary and we're not do or die every week."
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