Will Aussie rules return to suburban fields this winter? The AFLQ road map to a return looms

The Aussie rules’ road map enabling footy to return in 2020 is being drafted, with AFL Queensland working feverishly toward making it a possibility.

The AFL Queensland is working feverishly toward making it a distinct possibility that Aussie rules will return to suburban grounds this winter - albeit in vastly reduced numbers and competitions.

When one club official was asked this afternoon about the prospect of competition resuming following the COVID-19 crisis shutdown, the official responded: “99 per cent we are’’.

July is being mooted when the top tier QAFL, in the least, will resume.

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On Tuesday AFLQ chief executive Dean Warren wrote to clubs stating “later this week we hope to provide you with detailed FAQs, as well as Return to Training procedures, support materials and potential competition guidelines to help you plan and prepare for a return to play’’.

AN under 17 division 1 match between Wilston Grange and Jimboomba. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Last week’s federal government announcement that there would be a three stage approach to easing out of COVID-19 restrictions actually raised more questions for the footy community than it answered.

The stages are as follows:

Stage 1 (May 15) – Up to 10 people are allowed to use pools and outdoor gyms as well as for personal training, non-contact physical activity and hiking in state and national parks.

Stage 2 (June 12) – This number increases to up to 20 people to be able to use pools and outdoor gyms, personal training, non-contact physical activity and hiking. Non-contact indoor and outdoor community sport is permitted (up to 20 people).

Stage 3 (July 10) – Community sport is allowed to recommence with up to 100 people permitted.

Labrador v Wilston-Grange at Cooke Murphy Oval Labrador. Picture Glenn Hampson

It is believed a detailed AFLQ plan around social distancing, hygiene, and even a reduction in the number of minutes matches go for was being discussed.

Exactly how many competitions outside the top tier QAFL could proceed is unknown, with a question mark over clubs viably to host matches given restrictions in crowd numbers.

It is also believed umpires were prepared to take pay cuts to play their part in the code resuming.