Highett the first Southern club to pull out of season
Bulldogs president Lex Marshall said the club believed it was unable to guarantee a safe environment for its players or supporters. And East Malvern is also likely to withdraw.
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If the Southern league season goes ahead, it will be without Highett.
The Division 1 Bulldogs confirmed today they were withdrawing from 2020.
There is increasing speculation another Division 1 club, East Malvern, will also choose not to play.
The East Malvern board will make a decision on Monday night.
SFNL CEO Lee Hartman said this afternoon that he respected Highett’s decision, but he was confident enough clubs still wanted to play and there would be four divisions.
The league is prepared to go with six-team competitions.
“We’ve said to the clubs all along, whether they opt in or out for 2020, we’d respect that decision,’’ Hartman said.
“They (Highett) have made the call based on all the information we’ve given them. As I said, we respect that, but we’re pushing on at this stage for a July 25 start.’’
Clubs have been given until Friday, July 3 to declare their intentions to the SFNL.
“Although disappointing for the league, we fully understand their rationale,’’ Hartman said of the Bulldogs.
“There’s no doubt that if things don’t change with the government, there are enough teams and clubs that want to play. We’re in the government’s hands.’’
Highett president Lex Marshall said feedback from the senior playing group indicated a “growing doubt toward the staging of a senior season’’.
“Among the feedback, a significant majority conceded that their club’s longer-term viability would be best served by not competing in season 2020,’’ he said.
“Concerns about the club’s financial viability for 2021 and beyond, older volunteers, crowd restrictions to 10 in a group and serious doubts around managing crowds at open public spaces …
“Indications on Monday by State Government that junior return-to-train/play dates remain as previously advised, but that senior return-to-train/play dates are again under review, was a further consideration.’’
Marshall said new senior coach Brad Berry was taking a long-term approach to Highett being a “serious SFNL Division 1 competitor … therefore we make decisions based on what is best in both the short and the long-term.’’
“The information we have gathered, together with the latest Victorian Government DHHS advice, has determined that withdrawing from 2020 is the only viable option,’’ Marshall said.
“The coaching staff conducted meetings with our players with an emphasis that our players as key stakeholders have input and ownership of such a major decision. The majority supporting a cancellation of the season and resolve to begin a period of sustained success in division 1 beginning with the 2021 season.’’
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Marshall said his club applauded the SFNL for pushing ahead while other leagues continue to cancel their 2020 seasons.
But he said the Bulldogs believed they could not guarantee a safe environment for its players or supporters.
Southern and the VAFA are the only metropolitan leagues still attempting to play this year, with Eastern, Northern, Western Region and Essendon District pulling the pin.
Thirty-two country competitions have also cancelled their seasons.