EDFL 2020: Clubs keen to play amid coronavirus crisis
Confidence is growing EDFL will take the field this year after the State Government cleared the way for local competitions to return, with club meeting in recent weeks giving reason for optimism.
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Optimism is growing Essendon District Football League clubs will take the field this year.
On the back of the State Government loosening restrictions, the senior season could kick off July 25, while clubs can start contact training from July 13.
The league has not ruled out expanding to a top five in Premier Division, which would mean the finals series would run over four weeks, while promotion and relegation is likely to be scrapped because of the truncated campaign and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.
Suburban leagues have until the weekend of October 17-18 to complete their seasons.
Clubs are seeking clarity on crowds, health protocols and the impact on volunteers, but there is a strong desire to proceed.
The EDFL, Victorian Amateur Football Association, Western Region and Southern leagues are prepared to wait until June 22 to make a final call.
EDFL chairman Bernie Shinners and chief executive Ian Kyte have met with the presidents of all 28 senior clubs in recent weeks.
It is understood 24 clubs – amounting to 85 per cent – are keen to play, while four remain uncertain and need key questions answered before being convinced.
Every club was against ruling a line through the season before receiving further advice from the government.
It appears unlikely a club will withdraw if the EDFL opts to stage a season.
“I think we need to get the season under way,” East Keilor president Geoff Nicholl said.
“For mental health, we need to get people out and about and back on the park.
“I know it’s difficult with the conditions at the moment, but things change very quickly as well.”
Clubs have taken a hit financially in recent months, with several members suggesting a season without crowds was not viable.
AFL Victoria is keen for spectators to attend games, while the EDFL has applied a zero salary cap for 2020 to ease the pressure on clubs.
“We’re always working hard and the committee’s working hard,” Nicholl said.
“This year we were planning to launch again. We were (Division 1) runners-up last year and hoping to make amends.
“We’re going all out to win (the premiership) and hopefully continue that next year.”
Coburg Districts president Allan Chandler said his club had been fortunate not to have suffered a collapse in sponsorship.
“We’re pretty lucky with our sponsors,” he said.
“Our major sponsors all stuck with us, which is a major thing. Like every other club, we’re just watching what we do (financially).”
Chandler said he hoped the season would get up and running.
“As long as everything gets ticked off, we’re good to play,” he said.
“We’re as prepared as we can be, but we’re just waiting for that green light.”
Tullamarine coach David Connell said the fact leagues had a start date to work towards was “encouraging”.
But he said off-field factors such as the management of crowds and expectations on volunteers needed to be established.
The experienced mentor said EDFL clubs were desperate to know if the season would go ahead.
“It’s definitely shown at least a pathway with dates for the on-field part of it with contact training and when a competition could go ahead. I think that’s positive,” Connell said.
“The only thing that hasn’t been spoken about is what it will look like off-field.
“But I think it’s got to a point now where there’s that much speculation with what’s going on … even if it’s bad news, we now just all need the news.”
Strathmore boss John Elliott said there were questions surrounding health that still needed to be answered.
He said he was keen to know how often changerooms had to be cleaned on match and training days from next week.
“At most clubs, a lot of volunteers are in their 60s,” Elliott said.
Nineteen senior competitions across Victoria have cancelled their seasons, including Melbourne’s Northern and Eastern leagues.
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