Suburban football clubs and coaches were not impressed by AFL Victoria’s return to training plan
Local footy clubs have been left confused and frustrated by AFL Victoria’s return to training plans, which caught its six metropolitan leagues by surprise when released over the weekend.
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AFL Victoria’s return to training announcement has been met with scepticism and confusion by suburban football clubs.
The peak body announced on Saturday that it was recommending local players be allowed to return to training as soon as Monday, May 25.
However, the tight player restrictions and timing of the release were labelled “farcical” by one respected coach.
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Under AFL Victoria’s recommendations players can only return to training in two groups of 10, excluding coaches and support staff, at either end of the ground, meaning a senior team could not train together in the same session.
Some clubs are still barred from using their council-controlled facilities while others would prefer to see a detailed return to play plan before committing to training.
Saturday’s development also took the six senior metropolitan leagues by surprise after discussions last week banned organised training.
AFL Victoria and the leagues – WRFL, EDFL, NFL, EFL, SFL and VAFA – will meet again on Tuesday to debate whether a season goes ahead at all.
Greensborough coach Mick Harford claimed AFL Victoria’s announcement did nothing but create confusion and frustration.
“It doesn’t make any sense, the maths just doesn’t work, it just generates a whole lot of confusion,” he said.
With all due respect to @aflvic the announcement of return to training is farcical. 2 groups of 10 (max) on a ground at one time, Please. We got 80+ players to contend with @GreensboroughFC If this is the start, then the end is a LONG way off Consult a coach maybe.. @northernfnl
— Mick Harford (@MickHarf) May 17, 2020
“Am I missing something? The government says we can train in groups of 10 – so we could have 10 groups of 10 on the ground – but we can’t do it as a club?
“Obviously, we all want to get back but unless we do it properly it become farcical. If there’s no meaning to it, it becomes meaningless.
“We’re trying to keep players engaged … our players would prefer no (season) than to not know. Put them out of their misery.”
Tullamarine coach David Connell said there were no guarantees restrictions such as social distancing would not be in place next season.
The EDFL mentor said his reserves players were likely to train twice a week, while there would be a heavier reliance on players to do their own work away from the club.
“It’s been a busy 48 hours trying to work out how we’re going to do it. It’s been a bit stressful,” Connell said.
“This might be what it’s like for the next two or three years. You’ve got to be able to work around it.
“You’ve got to do it the best you can and try and make it work.”
There is a growing sense the 2020 season cannot go ahead given the ongoing social distancing restrictions around gatherings and financial implications for players and clubs.
One NFL club president said a call must be made for the good of the sport.
“It’s the unknown that’s the issue, the earlier we know what’s happening, the better off every club will be,” he said.
“I haven’t spoken to our players about payments or contracts because why would I waste my time when everything can change the next day?”
Another club boss said without access to club facilities there were serious health and safety concerns.
The vast majority of clubs would have four senior teams – senior men, reserves, under-19s and women’s – plus a host of junior teams all needing to train on the same oval.
“This timing will provide the opportunity to communicate our protocols with leagues and allow volunteers and clubs time to digest the protocols, go through an education period and prepare themselves ahead of returning to club sanctioned training,’’AFL Victoria’s head of community football Stephen O’Donohue said in a memo to leagues.
He said a return to play “in a safe, hygienic and controlled manner is paramount to the AFL’’.
“The safety and wellbeing of our participants is our number one priority.
“As such, our return to play strategy has been focused on ensuring we have the clear endorsement of State Government and public health officials at every phase of return.
“Each State Government is responsible for determining what level Australian football is in their state and approving when we can transition into the next stage.”