FEARS FOR LOCAL CLUBS
Teams, players may not return if no footy: O’Toole
LOCAL football legend Ricky O’Toole believes clubs will fold and as many as 20 per cent of players will not return if there is no grassroots action this year.
The game remains on a knife edge, with a decision to come for all three senior Geelong leagues in early June, once the State Government reveals the next steps in easing coronavirus restrictions.
O’Toole believes a year without footy could break the cycle of routine for players, casting doubt on whether they would return.
Junior football appears more likely to be played this year, given it does not require as many people in attendance.
Clubs also do not rely on income from matches and a shorter season can be played without finals.
O’Toole, one of Geelong’s most decorated players and the current coach of Birregurra in the CDFL, said he had grave concerns for football’s future at the grassroots level if all matches were cancelled this year.
“I think you’ll find in this time they will spend more time with their family or work and I think a lot of players won’t come back because they will find other things,” he said.
“You’re in a routine as a player and once you stop that routine of training and going to the gym, your motivation stops.
“I’m just really concerned. I reckon we will lose 20 per cent of players. Clubs will disappear.
“I think lower clubs will find it hard.
“It may be closer to 10 per cent, but I have no doubt there will be a lot of players who don’t play next year and there will be clubs that go under.”
AFL Barwon continues to monitor the health of clubs during the shutdown, recently declaring their viability its major focus.
The local governing body remains guided by AFL Victoria and the State Government over return-to-play procedures.
O’Toole has seen it all in local footy and won league best-and-fairests in each of the GFL, BFL and GDFL.
He said AFL Barwon and the GDFL should set a target date for the return of footy, as soccer has done.
Birregurra has decided not to start training until a start date is revealed.
“The motivation level of the boys has been really good, but who is to say that isn’t going to change?,” O’Toole said.
“The boys are still training and doing a lot of work themselves on the thinking that they will be starting.