Bendigo league club forced to forfeit game due to metro lockdown
Melbourne’s lockdown has wreaked havoc in the Bendigo Football League with one club forced to forfeit and another battling for numbers.
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Melbourne’s extended lockdown has wreaked havoc in the Bendigo Football League.
The league decision to forge ahead with games this weekend has left several clubs short on numbers.
The situation as seen Kyneton forfeit Saturday’s senior and reserve grade matches against Sandhurst due to a lack of players.
Tigers president Hayden Evans said the club had just 13 senior and nine reserves players available due to the restrictions.
He said the call was made in the best interests of the club and its players.
“We just see no other way after losing so many metro-based players. It’s just no viable,” Evans said.
“We had to make a stand as a club, losing so many players, and the league has not provided any correspondence or solution.
“As far as football is concerned we don’t think its in our interest to put teams on the field that are so depleted.
“There was no other solution and we weren’t getting anything from the league. They haven’t spoken to us.”
Gisborne will instead turn its attention to its under-18s team and netball.
“Our focus is to play and support our under-18s and netball, our netballers will play two games – all of them – to make sure they get through,” Evans said.
“Paul Chapman is heavily invested in the club and he’ll coach the under-18s this week because the coach is unavailable in Melbourne.”
Bendigo league teams haven’t taken the field since July 10.
The league has decided to play on in contrast to the Ballarat league, which although country based has decided not to play this weekend due to metro-based teams in Sunbury and Melton.
The decision has riled some clubs that rely heavily on metro-based players.
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Maryborough is struggling for numbers but is expected to have enough for its seniors clash against Gisborne.
The Magpies have struggled for numbers throughout the season and rely on several players travelling up from Melbourne.
Gisborne is the league’s closest club to Melbourne but is expected to have enough players.
The Bulldogs will be missing at least nine senior players but will call on its junior depth with its under-18s team due to have a bye.
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