Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League cancels 2020 season
For the first time in 77 years there will be no formal Mornington Peninsula football season after the 2020 season was scrapped.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League has cancelled its 2020 season this morning.
It’s understood at least six clubs indicated a “no-play’’ stance and five were undecided in a meeting with club presidents, meaning a traditional season was impossible.
Concerns over new compliance guidelines, increased infection rates, financial implications for clubs and the burden on volunteers were the major factors in calling the season off.
Some modified models of play, aimed at simply having a run between teams, are being formulated for consideration by clubs.
“Effectively, the home and away season will be abandoned for MPNFL,’’ AFL South East chief operating officer Shaun Connell said.
“The number of clubs who were willing to go forward, we will work with them for the potential of an informal type structure for 2020.’’
It means for the first time in 77 years there will be no senior football on the Mornington Peninsula.
The decision to abandon the season amid the coronavirus comes after a string of meetings between the AFL South East and MPNFL club presidents.
Last week clubs had agreed to a July 25 return, contingent on crowds of at least 500 being allowed.
But following last weekend’s state government announcement tightening restrictions, optimism among clubs began to fade.
It’s understood several clubs pulled the pin on the season during the week.
AFL Victoria announced its return to play protocols on Thursday and MPNFL clubs were asked to digest the information.
“The purpose of today was to establish whether the AFL return to play protocols had an impact on the clubs’ positions on being able to have a viable season and there were obviously some concerns that there were some risks in proceeding,’’ Connell said.
MORE LOCAL FOOTY
MPNFL CLUBS DIGEST RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOLS
THREE MAJOR COUNTRY LEAGUES CANCEL
“There were enough clubs that would withdrawal on the back of that.
“In some clubs there was waning support from playing group and volunteers to proceed with a formal season.’’
There is speculation that some MPNFL players will join clubs in the Southern league, which is still hopeful of starting a season on July 25.
There was no senior football on the Mornington Peninsula in the wars years from 1942-45.
“But they did run a social league during that time years 1944 and 1945 so technically speaking 1943 would be the last time a season wasn’t held,’’ MPNFL historian Doug Dyall said.