AFL Cairns on track to deliver season
AFL Cairns is confident it can satisfy the financial queries of two clubs and a full seven team 2020 competition will be able to be ticked off.
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AFL Cairns is confident it can satisfy the financial queries of Manunda and Port Douglas and a full seven club 2020 competition will be able to be ticked off.
All local clubs met with AFL Cairns staff on Wednesday night to decipher a structure for the coming campaign following the coronavirus shutdown of the league.
While all clubs were in agreeance that a 14-round season plus finals, finishing at the end of October was the way forward, two clubs believe they would not have the cash to keep afloat in the short-term, if the rich AFL Cairns, which is run by Cazalys sports club, does not offer them assistance.
The Crocs are looking for an interest-free loan, which they believe they can pay back as soon as crowds are allowed back into grounds, while the Hawks need help in regards to the costs to use Cazalys Stadium in season 2020.
League football manager Craig Lees says everything should be ticked off over the next week, following more conversations with the board.
“Everyone has agreed we need to get footy back and going,” Lees said.
“There is a couple of clubs that still need to meet to discuss their individual financial situations.
“Hopefully with everything sorted, it should let both clubs be involved in the season.
“We are excited to be back and playing.”
If the league did not assist Manunda, club president Garry Hartrick painted a dire picture.
He pointed to a two-tier competition, cashed-up teams with sports clubs, like South Cairns and Trinity Beach, and Hawks and Port Douglas, who need a money injection from the league to play in 2020.
Local clubs say they do not want the money from the league to pay players – it is required just to survive.
Hartrick said if his club was to try and push on and play a full season without the help from AFL Cairns, it would trade insolvent.
“Us and Port Douglas are in a similar position … if AFL Cairns do not come to the party, there is no way known that we will be able to play,” Hartrick said.
“We will not have the money to put people out there and we will be trading insolvent without a shadow of a doubt.”
AFL Cairns have set a precedent that they will help battling clubs over the last few years, stepping in to save Cairns City Lions and North Cairns.
A premier will be crowned while a Crathern Medal will also be awarded for best and fairest following the season.
The competition may not run a full reserves league this year with some clubs battling to put together two sides but it will give every club a chance to field two teams.
The 2020 season will start on July 11, with a fixture to be completed in the coming days, while the salary cap has been cut in half.
Cazalys Stadium will host the 2020 grand final and with international cricket to be played on the surface in the weeks before, clubs may host home finals for the first few weeks of the post-season.
TENTATIVE FINALS DATES ARE:
Semi-Finals 17th October
Preliminary Finals 24th October
Grand Finals 31st October
Originally published as AFL Cairns on track to deliver season