There were epic encounters in division 1 and 2, but they only served to wallpaper over the cracks in what was another weekend where the gulf in class between the top and bottom sides was underlined by massive margins.

In division 1, the usual suspects West Footscray, Glenorden and Sunshine Heights were on the receiving end of heavy losses to likely finalists.

It is a similar tale in the second division with North Sunshine, Laverton Magpies and Braybrook hit with higher defeats.

The need to find a solution for a gap in competitiveness was highlighted by North Sunshine's record-breaking 401-point defeat to Albanvale in round five.

A panel of - including Mick Psaila (WRFL director and StAlbans president), Bas Tensen (Sunshine president), Adrian Lipscombe (Old Westbourne president), Graeme Davis (Glenorden president), Raeleene Eldridge (North Footscray administrator), Steve Kennedy (Coburg Districts administrator), Chris Murphy (Spotswood president), Janine Mizzi (WRFL director) and Keith Brown (Newport Power president) - will meet on a regular basis to discuss six key issues to underpin the direction of the league.

They include:

■ Home of WRFL: accessibility, storage, cost, exposure and degree of independence.

■ Reputation and image: how the WRFL and its member clubs are perceived in the community.

■ Umpire recruitment: retention, education and support.

■ Retention and growth: junior and senior player numbers.

■ Club development: a strong push for WRFL to invest in club development through the employment of a club development officer and via the new chief executive officer role.

■ Evenness of competition: both junior and senior level.

Psaila, the sub-committee chairman, said progress was made in the first two meetings of the group.

"It's great to see that clubs are so keen for the WRFL to move forward and become recognised as one of the west's most valued community organisations," he said.

"I was really pleased with the enthusiasm shown by every member of the sub-committee and their genuine interest in the league as a whole, rather than just the narrower interests of their clubs."

The plan is due for completion by the end of this month when it will be presented to the clubs. Lance Jenkinson