Local footy 2020: Why leagues are fighting losing battle amid coronavirus
Some community football leagues are holding out hope of bouncing the ball in 2020, but Luke D’Anello analyses why some clubs have lost confidence of a season going ahead — and why others are certain to follow.
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Optimism was rife eight days ago that local football would be played in Victoria in 2020.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced senior clubs could start contact training from July 13 and competitions could kick off from July 20.
It was marked as a significant step forward after months of uncertainty and anxiety.
But confidence has since faded and the season is now in the casualty ward.
In football terms, local leagues are kicking into a six-goal wind in the last term of a close contest in which they held the upper hand earlier this month.
Active coronavirus cases in the state have shot from 40 to 125, the State Government has delayed the easing of restrictions and the prospect of large crowds at community sporting events appears only a distant memory.
Clubs will suffer potentially irreparable financial pain without spectators at games and a nine-round season will cost them at least $30,000.
Even without player payments, they have bills for affiliation fees, insurance, lighting and medical supplies.
After the weekend’s setback, outside gatherings have been limited to 10 people. Will 500 be ticked off within a month? Unlikely.
We were warned winter would be a crucial period in controlling the virus — and those forecasts have unfortunately come to fruition.
The revelation Essendon dasher Conor McKenna had contracted coronavirus only underlined the extreme pressure clubs at community level would face if one of their players tested positive.
The Bombers are set to tackle Carlton on Saturday without several of their first-choice players.
What happens at local level? Players and volunteers have full-time jobs and families to look after and countless clubs are not equipped to sort out such a complex mess.
While the decision to have no player payments in 2020 was a positive move, the risks appear too great in the current climate.
Questions also remain about the strain on volunteers.
Not having the pressure of raising exorbitant amounts of money to pay players would be replaced by a constant need to clean and sanitise. It is too much to bear.
The Victorian Amateur Football Association, Essendon District Football League and Southern Football League were among those to have released proposed start dates in recent weeks.
They had myriad reasons to be confident, while the Western Region league revealed 22 of 25 clubs favoured a season.
The EDFL also had about 85 per cent of clubs keen to play if crowds were given the green light and the health protocols were manageable.
But the mood changed on Friday night.
WRFL powerhouse Deer Park pulled the plug on the season and EDFL outfit Roxburgh Park followed.
Early on Monday, it was clear more clubs would make that call, not prepared to take health risks. It is understandable in a climate that resembles a rollercoaster.
Victorians have been instructed not to visit the municipalities of Brimbank, Hume, Moreland, Darebin, Cardinia and Casey.
People living in those areas have been told not to travel to other parts of the state.
How can competitions make a decision to play in this environment?
The only way leagues could get started is if clubs are prepared to wait until July 12 for a final call – that is when the Premier will announce if restrictions can be lifted.
Players can continue to train and connect with their mates.
EDFL boss Ian Kyte and SFL chief executive Lee Hartman remain hopeful and are refusing to rule a line through the season.
But time is fast running out despite all the positivity.
However, leagues who have waited as long as possible to give their clubs a chance deserve credit.
The doomsayers who wanted the season called off weeks ago will say they predicted this.
But not even the world’s leading medical professionals can predict the unpredictable.
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