Waiting game for VFL as all premier state leagues postponed until at least June
With all state football leagues in a holding pattern until at least June because of the coronavirus, VFL clubs are now playing the waiting game — with officials desperately hoping a new fixture will allow some footy to be played this season.
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For VFL clubs, it’s a waiting game.
The AFL announced last night that the start of all state leagues had been suspended until May 31 because of the coronavirus crisis.
The under-18 NAB League boys season has also been delayed, and the girls season, which started three weeks ago, is on hold.
VFL general managers and CEOs had a phone hook-up with AFL officials last night to discuss how the competition would proceed without the first nine rounds.
It’s possible a new fixture will be devised.
But the AFL also has the option of keeping the published draw and starting the season at Round 10, on June 6.
The season was to kick off on Friday, April 3, with a clash between Collingwood and Box Hill Hawks.
Clubs haven’t been told if practice matches will be permitted or if players can continue to train.
Richmond had already suspended training and meetings for its VFL side as two Tigers staffers were tested for coronavirus after feeling poorly.
The Tigers are one of many clubs across the competition now testing staff and players when they show symptoms of cold and flu but with no positive tests yet.
“The AFL wishes to advise that following a meeting with AFL State CEOs a collective decision has been made to postpone the operation and / or the commencement of each premier State League and national and state talent program across the country,’’ an AFL statement said last night.
“The decision was collectively agreed upon based on the part-time nature of these competitions and the financial implications for the State League clubs and State Leagues.
“This decision is effective until May 31.
“The AFL will continue to explore all fixturing alternatives to ensure matches are played, however, acknowledges the situation is fluid and any decision made may change.’’
Frankston general manager Adrian “Rocky’’ Lloyd said the club spoke to its players last night and they were accepting of the situation.
But Lloyd said the Dolphins could feel a financial strain from the delayed start.
He said he had already called off the season launch and a Dolphins in Business lunch, and four bookings for the social club had also been cancelled.
Of the five VFL clubs without an AFL alignment, Frankston and Coburg do not have money coming in from poker machines.
Most of their revenue is from sponsors, memberships, major functions and match-day revenue such as gate takings and bar and canteen sales.
Even before Christmas Frankston was saying it faced a tough financial period.
The Dolphins are in the final year of a deed of company arrangement in which they must make a final payment of $125,000.
It stems from the financial strife that engulfed them in 2016 and led to them sitting out the 2017 season.
Coburg GM Sebastian Spagnuolo said his players were “pretty flat’’ but understood the decision.
“It’s not an ideal situation for them, given they’ve been preparing from November for the competition to begin,’’ he said.
“They’ve been working their backsides off and now we have to put the brakes on them. Our staff as well put in tireless efforts. But we’ve got to deal with what we now know, because this pandemic has taken all before it.
“We’re not surprised the season has been delayed. We’re actually happy that there is a plan for a season. It’s better than a full cancellation.’’
Spagnuolo said he believed sponsorship and membership would be unaffected.
Coburg will spend all of the season on the road owing to the redevelopment of the City Oval.
It had scheduled a match in Ballarat in May, as well as other regional venues.
“Our club was building some fantastic momentum off-field and at training in the lead-up to the start of the season, and there’s no reason, if we get our planning right, why we can’t get that momentum back up for June,’’ Spagnuolo said.
He said the pandemic was “the great unknown’’ and “if it gets worse the door is open for further change’’.
Lloyd said the five stand-alone clubs — Frankston, Coburg, Werribee, Williamstown and Port Melbourne — would meet as a group on Friday to discuss the ramifications of the later start and make recommendations to league officials.
The aligned clubs and AFL clubs with their own VFL teams will also meet separately and offer suggestions to the AFL.
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