MPNFL clubs agree on start date and zero salary cap for season 2020
MPNFL clubs have agreed to a season start date, but it is contingent on crowds being allowed to attend games.
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The MPNFL has unveiled its plan to return to the field, but it’s contingent on crowds of 500 being able to attend games.
Getting back on the ground, with a starting date of July 25 and a finish on October 18, was one of three options presented to clubs at a meeting with AFL South East last night.
The second option was a condensed 4-6 week season of scratch matches without points.
The other option was to abandon the 2020 season altogether.
In the end, clubs agreed to a season playing for points (and a premiership), with nine games in Division 1 and 11 games in Division 2.
Division 1 will have a four-week finals series with a top five, while Division 2 finals will be over two weeks, with a top four.
There will be promotion and relegation.
Clubs also agreed to compete under a zero salary cap this season.
News that a season was a goer was well received by local coaches.
“It’s good that we’ve got footy back,’’ Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.
“I reckon they’ve got to have a draw out by probably Monday, don’t you reckon? That only gives us four weeks...geez, you want to know who you are playing.’’
Netball will remain an integral element of the MPNFL competition and operational staff will continue to work with clubs to ensure it remains the case in 2020.
The option of a social season of scratch matches received little or no support. It included a proposal for each club to field two sides — a senior side and a development side made up of reserves and U19 players — and a northern and southern division to ensure clubs played sides nearby.
MPNFL clubs will be surveyed over the coming days to confirm their engagement in all levels of competition.
Another meeting early next week is expected to determine if a season will go ahead or not.
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