SEASON OVER

‘REALLY DEVASTATED’ Latest lockdown crushes hopes of local footy-netball finish

THE final siren has sounded on local football and netball for 2021.

Clubs were told on Sunday afternoon that the season was over after Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast were plunged into lockdown.

The GFL grand final would have ordinarily been played this weekend. Instead, AFL Barwon was left with no other alternative but to abandon the season for a second consecutive year.

“The AFL Barwon commission has endeavoured to keep the season going to try and get a conclusion, however the decision was eventually made by the Victorian government and the chief health officer,” AFL Barwon acting region general manager Sean Atkinson said.

Restrictions needed to be lifted by this Saturday, per AFL Barwon’s return-to-play strategy, for there to be any hope of a grand final between the top two sides in the GFL and BFL.

But the latest lockdown announcement has ended those plans.

St Mary’s president John McMahon said Sunday’s development was “the final nail in the coffin”.

“It’s really, really disheartening,” McMahon said.

“They’ve said seven days. Well they haven’t had a lockdown that’s gone seven days since we’ve started. I’m a realist in that area, too.”

The state government announced in its road map to reopening that community sport would only be allowed once 80 per cent of the state was double dosed. That is expected to be achieved in early November.

Training with the “minimum number required for the sport” is only allowed in the meantime.

AFL Barwon said: “This timeline does not allow for competitions to be concluded.

“While it is disappointing that competitions couldn’t be finished for season 2021, we have always been guided by the government’s health advice.

“The health and safety of our members is always and will continue to be our number one priority.”

It said a decision on “whether recognition is awarded to top-ranked sides … will be made by the AFL Barwon commission in the coming weeks”.

It is understood the GFL and BFL were two of the last remaining leagues across the state left standing.

Torquay Tigers president Jenny Wood said the club, which had gone through the year undefeated and was the overwhelming flag favourite, was “really devastated”.

“They’ve had a really great season, they’ve worked really hard and they’ve continued to work hard to stay motivated up until this point,” Wood said.

“They will be devastated. I have no doubt the entire club will be.

“It’s been a great year and we wanted to see those last few games played and get a really good end to the season.

“I guess given it’s the second year in a row, too.

“The fact they worked hard last year – we had a really good team … and to get so close to it this year after such a great year … just a shame there isn’t some sort of hope there.”

The Geelong & District Football League cancelled its finals earlier this month.