INTEREST SLIPS IN MODIFIED COMP

EARLY interest in AFL Barwon’s modified competition has faded at a number of clubs, with only a handful of GFL clubs opting in to the concept.

It’s believed Torquay was the final club outside the Geelong league to entertain the idea of playing in the shortened season, which AFL Barwon hopes to start next month.

Tigers coach Dom Gleeson said initially about 30 players were interested but that number dropped before the club pulled out last Monday.

It as a similar outcome at Geelong West’s GFL side, according to coach Greg Mellor.

“When I first spoke to the playing group, maybe a month ago, there was significant interest in that and we’ve since sent out a recent survey (and) there wasn’t enough (interest) so we won’t be participating,” he said.

Geelong West and Torquay are planning on holding internal AFL 9s matches later in the year. Leopold, Bell Park, St Mary’s, Newtown & Chilwell, South Barwon and St Albans have all opted in.

Some clubs have expressed doubt if the competition will go ahead given the drop in commitment.

Under AFL Victoria guidelines released this week, only spectators “necessary” to help the game be played will be allowed to attend matches.

Bell Park president Brett

Campigli said the Dragons were still in the mix to play.

Campigli said the club wanted to field a senior football and two netball sides.

“We’ve made it pretty clear to AFL Barwon ... that we would need some sort of crowds to be available to go for us to participate,” Campigli said. “If there was no crowd, we probably would have to have another look at it.”

North Shore is another club to withdraw, deciding to focus on 2021.

“We probably could have got enough – they were interested – but we decided they’d rather train and work on some things for next year,” Seagulls president Dale Purcell said.

“The guys thought rather than play games that really are only going to be practice matches, they decided to go down this path.”

St Albans has resumed its Thursday night meals at the club in two sittings of 20 people and president Craig Osborne said playing in the modified competition was a chance to rebuild the sense of community at the club.

“There are a whole lot of reasons why (to opt in), it’s the players’ wellbeing and giving back to the community that we have missed so much this year,” he said.

AFL Barwon initially hoped about a dozen clubs would participate in the revised league but that number has since dropped.