Of all the options considered for starting the Tasmanian State League season, ghost games the only one ruled out so far

AFL Tasmania is in deep discussions with other State Leagues to find ways to get footy started. We can reveal some of the options being looked at.

“GHOST games” have been ruled out as an option for the start-up of the Tasmanian State League season among a raft of scenarios being kicked around by AFL Tasmania to get local football up and running.

The AFL will announce its reboot strategy next Monday and news of the TSL’s season roll-out will follow soon after.

AFL Tasmania’s CEO Trish Squires and manager of public affairs and infrastructure Damian Gill have been in regular communication with other state leagues about potential season strategies.

“AFL Tasmania is working diligently with the AFL in exploring what a return to football might look like for our clubs and communities,” Squires said.

AFL Tasmania announced on March 16 that the TSL season was postponed due to the growing coronavirus crisis.

It was put on hold until May 31 along with all state leagues across the country, and community competitions soon followed.

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Since then, AFL Tasmania has stood down 33 staff, with plans to reinstate them once AFL football and TSL games return.

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AFL Tasmania has been considering a range of options for the restart of the TSL season. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“Ghost games” – games without fans – were among options considered for the TSL start-up.

However, they were dismissed as being too costly for clubs, which rely on attendances to pay their way, and also due to the difficulty in policing games to ensure no attendees.

Mid-week games, more night games, shorter quarters, bigger benches and shorter breaks are also on the r-start agenda.

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“The health of the Tasmanian community is our top priority and we will be guided by the advice of the State Government and medical experts to be back on the field as soon as it is safe to do so,” Squires said.

“We are aiming to provide a more detailed update at the end of April, post the announcement of an expected road map for the elite game.”

The main scenarios discussed by the national teams revolve around when State League seasons can start and the number of games that will constitute the pandemic-interrupted season.

Junior football options include lightning premierships and gala days.