Grand final on hold for Caris, Clarke

Two Wimmera footballers will have to wait a little longer to contest the VFLW grand final after Sunday’s fixture was postponed due to a COVID-19 lockdown.

Horsham’s Rene Caris and former Ararat Storm player Georgia Clarke were set to feature in Geelong Cats’ showdown with Collingwood, before the decider was put on hold.

AFL leaders have announced the organisation remains ‘fiercely committed’ to staging the VFLW grand final as soon as COVID-19 restrictions allow.

Undefeated reigning premier Collingwood has not played since defeating Essendon in a secondsemi final win on July 4, while the Cats last took to the park in a preliminary final win over the Bombers on July 31.

Clarke booted three goals and was named among her side’s best players in the victory.

The preliminary final was also on hold for three weeks during the state’s fifth COVID-19 lockdown.

The VFL and VFLW are classified as community sports, which are not permitted under lockdown regulations.

Clarke and committed to 2022 season.

Caris have both the Cats for the