The club is Katherine's most successful of the last decade with their five consecutive wins from 2013 to 2018 a Big Rivers Football League record.

The club will still field a side in a women's league expanded this year to include Arnhem Crows and the Tindal Magpies in a five team, 10 round competition.

Eastside president, coach and captain Cameron Cossack expressed his dismay for the players and club to lose the men's team for this year, but says they'll be back in action for 2021.

"I'm really not too sure why people have fallen off because we did have the numbers pre-COVID-19," he said.

"We've got a really solid core which will be looking into where to play for this year, we want to stay together and keep that chemistry among the players.

"We're really encouraging the players who are keen to still get out and play football.

"It is unfortunate, but one of other teams will be getting a big boost of players from us so that should be good as well," he said.

New AFLNT regional development manager Gavin May said while the league will suffer for losing such a storied presence, all the other teams including new entry Ngukurr are looking strong for the season ahead.

"Beswick is going full steam ahead and so are Lajamanu," he said.

"Everyone here in town has been training and getting ready for the Umpires Carnival next weekend.

"And Ngukurr are more than ready out there so it's still an exciting time for AFL in Katherine," Mr May said.

A survey has been opened for clubs to lodge their preferences for a re-organised Big Rivers fixture.

The options currently on the table are a shortened eight-week season with each team playing one another at once, or a 10-week season as planned with randomly drawn fixtures for the additional two rounds.

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