FREEZE TO AVOID RAIDS

Local player transfers on hold

LOCAL footy player transfers have been frozen amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The AFL shut the national Footyweb service on Thursday, blocking the ability for players to move between clubs during the local footy hiatus.

It is planned to reopen on May 1, pending regular review.

The freeze is to help protect Geelong-region clubs against being raided from teams in other leagues that may defy the AFL recommendation to halt competition until May 31.

AFL Victoria last week recommended local leagues delay their seasons until May 31. The situation will be reviewed and the season may be delayed further if the situation worsens.

The Picola and District Football and Netball League was, as of Saturday, still reportedly expecting to start its season on April 4, with other leagues weighing their options.

Metropolitan leagues including Essendon District, Eastern, Northern, Southern, VAFA and Western Region have reportedly planned a May 2 return at this stage.

“The AFL have frozen Footyweb nationally so that no new transfers can be processed,” AFL Barwon region manager Will McGregor said in an email to clubs on Saturday, a day before the AFL also called off its competition until at least May 31.

“This went into effect from 19 March and will be closed until May 1 with regular review on when is the appropriate time to re-open the system.

“The AFL position was that there is no need for new players to seek transfers at this time given the AFL recommendation that all community football be postponed until May 31.

“Should non-AFL governed leagues decide to continue playing, we wanted to ensure leagues who have postponed are protected and that their players are unable to transfer to those leagues.

“A freeze on transfers will allow volunteers a period of time where they do not need to monitor transfers.

“Currently pending transfers (from 19 March) will still be processed following the AFL National Registration and Transfer Regulations.”

On Wednesday, AFL Barwon postponed all competitions — football and netball across juniors and seniors — until May 31 in line with an AFL Victoria recommendation.

From this week, AFL Barwon will provide weekly updates to clubs every Wednesday to streamline the information process during this rapidly evolving situation.