Footy clubs push for extra innings
HOPEFUL clubs have urged AFL Barwon to extend the season further into October and give the GFL and BFL a chance of playing a proper finals series.
The fate of the 2021 seasons will be on the table at an AFL Barwon commission meeting on Monday night, which could end hope of finals being played.
Under the current finals road map, the BFL would finish its finals as normal and the GFL would start a six-team series if play can resume this weekend.
If not, the season would revert to the top two sides in each competition playing in a grand final on October 3.
But following the Geelong Cricket Association’s declaration that it would not start its cricket season until October 16, clubs are hopeful an extra weekend will be used to finish the season.
Torquay finished on top of the BFL ladder and president Jenny Wood said the extra time presented a “great opportunity”. “It is probably really good for both sports if they work together to let us see the season out if we can and if we have got those extra weeks, we should definitely try to do that,” Wood said.
IT IS PROBABLY REALLY GOOD FOR BOTH SPORTS IF THEY WORK TOGETHER TO LET US SEE THE SEASON OUT IF WE CAN AND IF WE HAVE GOT THOSE EXTRA WEEKS, WE SHOULD DEFINITELY TRY TO DO THAT.” TORQUAY PRESIDENT JENNY WOOD
Like most clubs still in finals contention, Torquay resumed training on Friday night and Saturday to keep the legs ticking over.
Wood said the mood in the group was overwhelmingly positive.
“I still think we will get at least a couple of games in,” she said. “While there is still a bit of a heartbeat and a pulse we will just press forward. They (the players) are really keen to get back and they want to play, they haven’t given up that is for sure.”
Colac finished the homeand-away season in second spot on the GFL ladder and Tigers president Matt Gibson said football should go as close to the cricket season as it could for a result.
“You have just got to keep it open, it is going to be a bit give and take for everyone and I would keep it open until October and as close to the cricket season as we can,” Gibson said.
“It has taken a lot … from all the clubs to stay motivated and we believe as a club we have to keep talking about that hope and wanting to get there and that is why I am keen to see some kind of finals series.”
St Mary’s claimed the GFL minor premiership and president John McMahon said he “would have thought we give it until October 16 and see what happens”.