KEEPING THEIR OPTIONS OPEN
AFL Barwon region manager Will McGregor knows the decision to call off local footy and netball will come with some criticism, but hopes clubs understand the rationale.
“There will be (anger) and everyone is entitled to their view, but I hope that they understand we haven’t given up hope of playing some form of season of football and netball,” McGregor said.
“We are looking at a modified concept, if and when we are allowed to play, at senior level.
“We are certainly pursuing a junior football and netball season and senior female football season, so while we are not playing a senior home and away season, we are hoping to play some football and netball this year.”
McGregor said 80 per cent of clubs were “receptive” to a modified tournament that would kick off as early as July, provided it got the support of the State Government.
“We do have an idea from our end what it might look like, but it will hopefully be a regional approach and we’d love to get buyin from the Geelong & District and Colac & District Football League,” he said.
“What we will do is put models out to clubs very quickly in the next week or so and we really want to engage the leaders of the clubs — the coaches, the senior players and the presidents — on how we might be able to play a modified concept moving forward.
“We haven’t decided how many weeks we’ll play or whether we’ll play finals. We’ve got some basic concepts, but we don’t have all the detail.”