Training hurdle to clear before local footy resumes
Lockdown restrictions might be easing, but a date for a return to local footy is no closer despite AFL Victoria meeting with league bosses on Tuesday. Here’s what’s holding it up.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The waiting game goes on for local football.
A meeting on Tuesday, May 12, between AFL Victoria and eight metropolitan leagues failed to produce anything like a starting date for a season.
But it’s hoped players will soon be able to hit the training track.
AFL Victoria is establishing protocols around training following the announcement about the easing of stage three COVID-19 restrictions and how it applies to community sport.
In a statement, the eight leagues — Eastern FNL, Essendon District FL, Northern FNL, Southern FNL, Western Region FL, VAFA, South Metro and Yarra Juniors — said no sanctioned training should take place until “return to training” protocols were established, put in place and accepted by leagues, clubs and local council alike.
No time frame has been given for finalising the protocols.
“A number of considerations around health and safety protocols and insurance need to be worked through prior to training being sanctioned.
“We have also been advised that player transfers will be reopened soon and we will provide an update on both items as soon as this information comes to hand.”
More than six weeks ago the six metro senior leagues all announced they would be suspending all training and playing until at least May 31.
But despite apparent light at the end of the tunnel, there is no guarantee all clubs will field sides if football does get the all-clear to kick-off.
A number of clubs have expressed concerns about playing without crowds, given the money they make from gate takings and canteens.
Caulfield president Darren Stait said it would be potentially ruinous to play games without spectators.
He said clubs relied on match-day receipts to survive, and in their absence there would be no money to meet costs.
“It’s not just a matter of coming back for the sake of playing games. We’d have to return to almost normality. If we play without crowds we’re financially rooted,’’ he declared.
AFL Outer East regional general manager Aaron Bailey said his competition was exploring an “opt-in” model for its clubs, with a return slated for no later than early August.
“We’ve always said that we’re keen for a return, but we won’t return at the expense of our clubs. We need to provide our clubs with both options (to return or not).
“There will be some clubs that can return at full capacity and there will be others that may look a bit different for 12 months. We’re certainly looking at providing multiple options in terms of return, particularly for senior football.”
The neighbouring Eastern Football Netball League recently floated the idea of a half-season starting on either June 13 or 20, stating it “would be the most viable option for season 2020” should it be allowed.
But in a recent survey put to its 45 senior clubs, 44 per cent of clubs were in favour of cancelling the season.
Former Melbourne player Declan Keilty, who has signed at Bentleigh in the Southern league this year, said he and his teammates were eager to get on the ground.
But he said he was unsure how outdoor gatherings being restricted to 10 people or less would apply to training.
Keilty said he believed local football needed crowds because they helped clubs pay the bills.
Meanwhile Cricket Victoria is expected to make a decision this week on AFL Victoria’s request to play local football finals in October.
The state football authority has asked CV for permission to play through until the weekend of October 24-25, reducing the cricket season to between four-and-a-half and five months.
AFL Victoria said the proposal was to deal with “the unprecedented circumstances that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on community football’’.
“This is a one-off season modification for 2020 and there is no intent for football to push into October in future years. After 2020, we revert to the original agreement arrangements (football running from April 1 to September 20 and cricket from October 1 to March 31).’’
But it said it was prepared to work with Cricket Victoria to return the favour and give cricket more playing time in April, 2021.