Country footy: Ballarat league to move straight into finals

One of Victoria’s top competitions has called off the remainder of its home and away season due to the ongoing impact of restrictions.

The Ballarat league will move straight into finals footy. Picture: Hamish Blair

When the Ballarat league returns it will resume with finals footy.

On Wednesday, competition officials announced the home and away season was being brought to an early end after the extension of lockdown in metropolitan Melbourne.

Operations manager Shane Anwyl said the decision was made to the three clubs still under stay at home restrictions.

It means the season will restart with the first week of finals on August 28.

“Trying to manage our way through the season has been a challenge all year,” Anwyl said.

“The best move for our competition was to move straight into finals. By that time we’re hopeful metropolitan and regional restrictions will be realigned.”

Anwyl said the league remained to a top six finals series across all divisions of football and netball.

Bacchus Marsh and Redan’s senior football sides are the unlucky ones missing out on finals action by three and 12 per cent respectively.

Teams from fourth to eighth on the ladder finished with five wins and five losses from 10 games.

“It’s such a hard call with such an even competition,” Anwyl said.

“One more round of results would have been critical but we’re fixed to our grand final date of September 18.

“If restrictions are still in place later this month we might have to look at making some alternative arrangements.”

In a statement, the league said it “will continue to show flexibility to ensure all finals can be played where possible with all clubs who have earned the right to participate given the opportunity”.

“Further advice and details around finals structure and planning will be provided in due course, but clubs eligible for finals are asked to prepare for the series to commence as of the date advised,” the statement said.

“Details of the junior and BFLW finals series are being considered separately and will be advised at the completion of this weekend‘s games.”

North Ballarat finished the season as minor premiers with a record of nine wins and one loss.

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