Metropolitan football leagues blow the siren on 2021 season

The Essendon District, Eastern, Northern, Southern, Riddell District, South Metro Juniors, VAFA and Western Region have all called off their seasons.

The VAFA this morning cancelled its season.

Local football’s stop-start season is over.

The Essendon District, Eastern, Northern, Southern, Riddell District, South Metro Juniors, VAFA and Western Region leagues this morning announced they had all cancelled their competitions.

The decision came after yesterday’s State Government announcement of an extension to lockdown in metropolitan Melbourne until at least September 23.

All the leagues had been aiming to finish their season with finals, even with the prospect of crowds being told to stay away.

They played no played football last year because of Covid.

The VFL also announced yesterday that it was abandoning its 2021 season.

In a joint statement this morning, the metro leagues said: “This decision is an extremely difficult one and has not been made lightly.

“All leagues have been working diligently in the hope of enabling the remaining games in the 2021 season to be played.

“However, it is now apparent this will not be possible in the current environment.

“All leagues are committed to working closely with their member clubs, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria to manage the associated issues related to the cancellation of all 2021 competitions and working towards a return to play next season.

“We wish to take this opportunity to thank all clubs, players, parents, volunteers, officials, umpires and league partners for your patience, support and co-operation throughout the 2021 season.

“We urge all associated with our respective communities to heed the advice and regulations in place by order of the State Government.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring our community remains safe and healthy so we can all return to football and netball next season.

“Further updates regarding the operational aspects of this decision will be provided in due course via each respective league.

“All leagues look forward to returning to competition bigger and better in 2022, commencing the weekend of April 1-3.’’

AFL Victoria will provide an update on Auskick.

The Southern league said it had no other alternative but the cancel what was left of the season, calling it a “very disappointing outcome from what has been another frustrating year’’.

It thanked club committees, volunteers, coaches, players, members and supporters for their efforts this year, adding: “We will bounce back.’’

Southern had hoped to play its grand finals on AFL grand final weekend.

Southern had set out a road map to playing finals, culminating in grand finals from September 24-26, AFL grand final weekend.

VAFA president George Voyage and CEO Brett Connell said the there had been a “great deal of planning and a strong desire’’ to finish the season but it was clear it was impossible to return in later September.

“At all times the VAFA board, management and the administration team have been conscious of our charter – to provide an amateur football competition for men and women in metropolitan Melbourne, in a safe and enjoyable manner and we have worked diligently to achieve a positive outcome in very difficult and challenging times,’’ they said.

“This is clearly not possible in the current environment.’’

They applauded clubs’ “drive and resilience under very difficult circumstances’’.

Voyage and Connell said attention would now turn to promotion/relegation, awarding premierships and minor premierships and competition best and fairests.