Cullen said the Bulldogs were likely to be able to field one senior men's team and while it would have a smattering of first grade experience the vast majority of players would be from the open age team.

"Wests, Central and Lakes have all come out and said that they are going to run virtually first grade teams," he said.

"We've got a few first grade players like Jade Porter who is back for what could be his last season, Zeb Dunstan, Jordy Mitchell and Brady Hammond all said they want a run.

"But most of the team are open age and I won't be putting them out against teams who are mainly first graders, that's not fair to them.

"They want to have a bit of fun with their mates, have a game and a few beers afterwards.

"They'll just get hammered each week on the scoreboard and physically, that's not fair to them.

"I've not problem with the other clubs running virtually first grade teams, but we can't compete with that."

Cullen himself is likely to watch most of the season from the sidelines.

"I've been training a bit, but I'm most likely only go to play a couple of games to have a run with some of my old mates from the junior days who have been playing open age," Cullen said.

"You get itchy feet for a game training, but the plan is mainly coach which will be good for me going into next season. Having that experience under my belt before I take on the first grade job properly and combine it with playing.

Cullen and Steve Dunstan will oversee the senior men's team and the club will also field an under-19 and Blues Tag sides in the comp which starts on July 18.

A draw and grading is expected to be finalised by the end of the week and the Newcastle RL said experience across teams would be assessed in the grading process so that teams competing would be as even as possible.

Clubs can field teams in both Tier 1 and 2 or either depending on the points system grading.

The Maitland Pickers are required to field teams in all four competition because of their involvement in the President's Cup,