SFL boss adamant crowds essential

THE SFL will meet with its nine clubs next week to advance its 2020 plans, but league president Russell Young remains steadfast on comments that no crowds means no competition.

As the TSL prepares for a July 18 start — pending government restrictions being lifted — the SFL is aiming for a nine-round roster and fourweek finals series to commence a week later.

AFL Tasmania has sent a request to Public Health to increase the 100-person limit per venue to 500 for the State League, and Young said the ability to allow paying patrons into grounds will be the only way the SFL can kick off.

Young, who said last month there would be no regional league in the south without crowds, said the competition’s clubs are determined to play this year but he won’t risk financial strain on them to do so.

“We are having a meeting next week and all clubs will be asked to come along and be ready to make decisions,” Young said. “We will put some information out to clubs over the next couple of days and then when we have our next board meeting towards the end of next week, the clubs will make decisions whether we go forward.

“There are other costs as well as player payments and if there is no crowds, I just can’t see how we would get off the ground.

“Our decision on Wednesday I imagine would be based on crowds being allowed.”

As part of the agreement to salvage the State League season no players will receive match payments, but Young stopped short of declaring the same decision would be made in the SFL.

“That’s something that is being discussed, and we are working on a model at the moment and that will be part of our decision-making next week.”