Local footy 2020: Deer Park withdraws from WRFL season
A local football club chasing a record eighth consecutive premiership has made the decision to sit out the 2020 amid the coronavirus crisis in a major blow for metropolitan football.
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The Western Region Football League’s most powerful club has pulled the plug on 2020 in a major blow for the competition.
Deer Park president Matthew Pratt said a “unanimous decision” was reached to withdraw from the senior ranks after the club surveyed its board, players and volunteers.
The Lions cited the health and safety of their members as the key reason behind their decision, while members of the coaching staff and playing list had been advised not to attend their workplaces since training resumed.
Pratt also described AFL Victoria’s trainers’ protocols as “very onerous”, while Brimbank City Council is yet to tell the club what is required this year.
“I can assure you, the decision was not made lightly,” Pratt said.
“It was made factually with lots of information and we’re all very comfortable with the decision.”
Pratt said “not for one moment” did the club consider its stranglehold on WRFL Division 1 would come to an end if the season goes ahead amid the coronavirus crisis.
The Lions have claimed the past seven Division 1 flags – a suburban football record – and won 120 of 140 games under coach Marc Bullen since the start of 2013.
Pratt said Deer Park’s players were excited about the opportunity to add another flag to the club’s growing collection before the season was delayed but added that optimism had faded in recent weeks.
“A lot of players have certainly had to realign their position with returning to play, evaluating all scenarios around work and availability,” he said.
Pratt said he expected most clubs to battle a player shortage if the season was given the green light.
“I think it’s a realistic possibility that every club will be short of players, to be honest,” he said.
“I think it would be remiss of anyone to say they wouldn’t be.
“Players will have to make some critical decisions and the fact is every set of circumstances is different.
“We believe it will be challenging for a lot of clubs, certainly to field two teams (seniors and reserves).”
Pratt said the club sought the advice of “numerous amounts of stakeholders, both here and interstate” before making its call.
“I’ve got a pretty big network of football people that I’ve got relationships with,” he said.
“We looked at different scenarios and worked towards what was possible, achievable and what was probably not possible at the same time.
“We’ve obviously mitigated as much of the risk as possible prior to the decision we made.”
The Lions’ decision is sure to fuel external criticism of the club, with many declaring the its era of success over after an eventful off-season.
Kwame McHarg, Jase Perkins, Max Bruin, Shannon Byrnes, Jackson Barling and Daniel Cooper, Kevin Klix and Shaun Harrison headlined the departures.
“As long as my club understands where we’re going, that I communicate and guide the club in the right way, I feel that’s my objective as a president,” Pratt said.
WRFL boss Matthew Duck said Deer Park’s decision to sit out would not impact the league’s call.
Twenty-two of the WRFL’s 25 senior clubs are in favour of a season going ahead.
“We respect the right of Deer Park to make considered decisions based on its individual circumstances but continue to work through our process no differently,” Duck said.
“Season determinations will occur next week.”
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