Local footy 2020: EDFL could reverse call to cancel senior season
One of Victoria’s biggest metropolitan competitions has left the door open to stage a senior season just three days after cancelling amid the coronavirus crisis, leaving several clubs frustrated.
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The Essendon District Football League senior season is not done yet.
The major suburban competition has sensationally left the door open to review its decision to cancel the senior campaign amid the coronavirus crisis.
In an email to clubs on Sunday, the EDFL said the board would meet on Tuesday “to determine whether to re-consider” its decision.
Clubs have been asked to submit a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response to confirm if they would take part if a call was made to proceed with a senior men’s and women’s season.
“This information will aid the board in their decision whether to re-consider the cancellation of the season,” the email said.
An EDFL spokesman said: “The board is meeting this Tuesday evening to discuss the implications of last week’s decision to cancel 2020 senior EDFL season.”
It is believed a small group of Premier Division clubs is behind the push for a season.
The EDFL had scrapped its senior grades, including reserves and thirds, last Thursday night.
It committed to staging truncated junior and men’s under-18.5 seasons, along with netball.
The stunning development has left several clubs frustrated and needing urgent answers, with the ongoing uncertainty in recent months putting strain on volunteers.
About 12 clubs – housed across Premier Division and Division 1 – met on Saturday and are in favour of the junior and senior seasons not going ahead.
They are seeking clarity on the competition’s by-laws and constitution, having been left confused by the move.
The perceived influence of the EDFL’s heavyweights has also left some smaller clubs feeling a sense of indignation.
Melbourne’s north-west has been central to the rise in the state’s coronavirus cases, with Keilor Downs, Broadmeadows, Albanvale, Sunshine West, Maidstone, Brunswick West, Fawkner, Reservoir, Pakenham and Hallam identified as ‘hot spot’ suburbs.
Victorians have also been advised not to travel to Hume, Moreland and Brimbank.
Earlier this month, the EDFL had 24 of 28 senior clubs keen to play before the outbreaks forced a rethink.
Craigieburn (seniors and juniors) and Roxburgh Park (seniors) withdrew from the season before the EDFL’s board meeting, citing health concerns.
“It was a difficult decision,” EDFL chief executive Ian Kyte said on Friday after the league cancelled the senior season.
“But the board made that decision and we move forward.
“In all leagues that have had to make this call, there’s been clubs that would have participated and clubs who didn’t want to participate.
“Things change from day-to-day and clubs are assessing whether they’ve got enough players, all those sorts of things (are factors).
“The board’s met seven times over the last five weeks and it got to a point where a decision had to be made.”
The Western Region, Northern and Eastern competitions have canned their senior seasons.
The Victorian Amateur Football Association is prepared to wait until July to make a decision, while the Southern league is aiming for a July 25 start.
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