Border sports cops a blow
In Victoria, all clubs were forced to cancel their matches as AFL Victoria issued a statement following the government’s announcement.
“With the Victorian Government announcing a five-day lockdown, all community football matches, training and Auskick will not be permitted to take place during this time, as per state government restrictions,” the statement read.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a snap five-day hard lockdown last Thursday on the advice of Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, following leaks out of Sydney’s COVID-19 outbreak.
In a huge blow for local sport and the wider community the statewide lockdown in Victoria has been extended by a week to 11.59pm next Tuesday, July 27.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the extension late Tuesday morning saying the government will not be lifting the lockdown until almost all cases announced are in isolation for the entirety of their infectious period.
The initial five-day lockdown saw the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League make the difficult decision to cancel round 13 rather than postpone it.
“The SS&A Ovens and Murray Football Netball League would like to advise that round 13 has been cancelled,” chairperson David Sinclair said in a press release.
On Monday night another statement was released to Facebook from Mr Sinclair reading:
“We will consult with clubs before we make any decisions beyond next weekend if this lockdown continues.
“The alternatives are to continue cancelling rounds… and it may get to a point that we may have to go straight into the final series if we see a pause of another four to five weeks.
“Let’s hope that’s does not happen.”
Yarrawonga were to host Wangaratta Rovers in round 13 with the Pigeons netballers, who have all four sides in the top five hoping they can end the home and away season on a high note.
The Murray Football Netball League also cancelled scheduled matches last week saying that the MFNL Executive would engage with stakeholders to discuss fixture options and no plans had been made when the paper went to print.
“Due to the Victorian Government announcing a five-day lockdown Murray Football Netball League (MFNL) had to cancel last week’s round due to the evolving COVID situation,” the statement read.
“Unfortunately, the round won’t be rescheduled/postponed.
“Stay Safe and take care.”
Mulwala who has their seniors, reserves, thirds, B Grade, C Grade and C Reserve all in prime positions for finals, were hopeful to take on rival Barooga this weekend with the Hawks sitting just outside the six in all respective grades.
In the Picola and District Football Netball League (PDFNL), committee members made the decision to suspend all round 15 matches for seven days with another announcement about the remainder of the season to be made mid-week.
“The PDFNL will meet with clubs as soon as possible regarding fixturing for the remainder of the 2021 home and away season and 2021 final series,” PDFNL Operations Manager Shane Railton said.
Tungamah seniors are in the box seat to retain the double chance while the Rennie Hoppers have only one win for the season.
Tungamah were also set to make up their missed game against Yarroweyah during the last Victorian lockdown tonight, but with an extension to the restrictions that game would not go ahead on Wednesday with no further word on the outcome of this match as of yet.
More information on the future of each leagues 2021 season can be found on the Chronicle website and Facebook as the news comes to hand.
Victoria’s fifth lockdown threw community sport into disarray on both sides of the border last weekend with near future competitions still up in the air.