Tasmania State League football: Coronavirus forces delay to start of season

TASMANIAN football has been thrown into turmoil by the coronavirus with a lengthy delay to the start of the 2020 season.

TASMANIAN football is in turmoil after the State League season was put on ice until the end of May because of coronavirus fears.

Not a ball will be kicked until May 31, which would have been round nine in the 2020 home-and-away roster released by AFL Tasmania in December.

AFL CUTS ROUNDS FOR 2020 SEASON

As well as the TSL, the Tasmanian women’s league has also been postponed, as well as the state’s elite under-18 teams for boys and girls playing in the NAB League.

The bombshell was dropped in a release send out last night.

Phillip Bellchambers of Lauderdale breaks free from Launceston’s Dylan Riley in last year’s final. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“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 (including the TSL and TSLW) and state talent program (including the NAB League Boys and Girls competitions).

“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.”