PLAYERS HAPPY TO GET BACK ON TRACK
A CALL on the return of local footy is likely to be made on Monday night as clubs took up the chance to dust off the footies and spend time with mates on Friday.
Most clubs still in the finals hunt in the GFL and BFL have made plans to train again, with many enjoying light sessions on Friday night.
The AFL Barwon commission will meet on Monday night to discuss the road forward from here, with it looking increasingly likely the only path to a premiership this season would be a one-off grand final across the competitions on October 3.
The number of leagues in country Victoria clinging to hope of a finals series was reduced further on Friday, as the Bendigo, Loddon Valley and
Hampden football leagues all pulled the pin on the season.
Heathcote District Football League canned its finals on Thursday.
The South West District Football League pulled its finals series back to a two-week contest, with the hope of beginning on September 24.
Each of those leagues cited a likelihood that Covid restrictions in regional Victoria would not ease until September 23 as the reason for ended seasons.
St Joseph’s faces an uphill battle to play again this year.
Joeys are still alive if a full finals series is played but given they finished sixth, it is looming as most likely they will be eliminated by Covid if the GFL season reverts to a grand final between top sides St Mary’s and Colac.
But when coach Paul Carson raised the prospect of training again this week, the leaders in his playing group were more than happy to get back to the club.
“The general consensus was whether we get back to training or not, for group camaraderie and mental health, we thought it would be good to get back to training and have a bit of a kick and run around together,” Carson said.
“They have been training in isolation for four weeks now, regardless of whether we play or not we still thought it was beneficial. Whether it is for a week or two weeks, that is what we will do.
“These guys see each other 3-4 times a week normally and that gets cut off at the knees for a few weeks so the chance to have a run and some fun will be good for the boys.”