PM Scott Morrison’s call key to FNQ football season

FNQ Football clubs are split on how long the 2020 season should be, but the casting vote may come from the Prime Minister.

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FNQ Football clubs are split on how long the 2020 season should be, but the casting vote may come from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

National Cabinet is meeting on Friday, where it is hoped restrictions will be relaxed to allow for outdoor gatherings of 10 people.

The release of a national roadmap to recovery will provide further clarity around how society will resume post-coronavirus, with community sport keeping a close on eye on details.

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The national cabinet has already endorsed a framework devised by the Australian Institute of Sport which charts the staged return of community sport.

At present, only individual training is allowed, with the next step being training in groups of 10 people.

Today’s decisions will also influence the structure of competitions.

FNQ Football’s clubs are split on whether the 2020 season should be two or three full rounds of fixtures - it is understood to be 4-3 in favour of three full rounds - though administrator Alex Srhoj said the final decision would likely depend on when the sport can resume.

“If we can start in mid-June then I think three rounds will be the go,” Srhoj said.

“If it’s July, I could be only two rounds.

“We’ll make a call after today’s cabinet meeting. I’m hoping it will look a lot better than what was initially outlined.”

Leichhardt coach Stacey Fittock said he would prefer three full rounds - and a six-week preseason period - in what is his return to the FNQ Premier League.

His chief concern was fitness, a worry many coaches undoubtedly share after the campaign was delayed.

Clubs had managed several friendlies and two FFA Cup ties before all football activity was suspended due to the coronavirus.

Edge Hill United and Southside Comets are due to face off in the last FNQ stage of the FFA Cup, with the regular season yet to start.

Originally published as PM Scott Morrison’s call key to FNQ football season