AUSSIE RULES: Despite a slight hiccup to start the season, the Westpac Cup is ready to go for round two.

Just two women's sides played last week with the withdrawals of Coolaroo and Lockyer Valley, and Dalby not being able to put a side together.

However, the competition will progress with Toowoomba, South Toowoomba, South Burnett and USQ lining up.

AFL Darling Downs president Leigh Riseley said the new look competition would provide a platform for the top women in the region.

"There's a quality amongst the teams. There will be increased participation amongst those four teams and an improved quality,” Riseley said.

"Players from those (withdrawn) teams have started to move clubs already.

"A new draw will be formed. There is a positive outcome purely because they didn't have enough numbers, and leftover players have equalised out around the competition.

"The Tigers have a strong side, and the competition will be quite strong all around.”

All four teams will be in action this weekend alongside five games of men's action.

The new U17s competition, aimed at bridging the gap between junior and senior progression, will commence on May 5, with four teams lined up to compete.