THE Sunraysia Football Netball League has cancelled this weekend’s round and will enter straight into finals the following week, but only if regional NSW is freed from lockdown.
The SFNL board made the decision on Monday night given the uncertainty as to whether regional NSW would come out of its lockdown on Saturday as scheduled.
The SFNL had considered the option of playing the game between NSW-based club Wentworth and Imperials on Sunday, but also had to consider cross-border club Robinvale Euston and the fact that many players at other clubs also lived on the NSW side the Murray River.
SFNL president Paul Matheson conceded even if the NSW Government did release the lockdown in the regions on Saturday, it would give clubs no time to prepare for a Sunday game.
He said the league decided it would then move into a top four finals series the following week, with the current ladders of all grades in football and netball to stand.
SFNL executive officer Peter Walker sent a letter to all SFNL clubs at 12pm on Tuesday to update them on the situation.
“With the announcement that all of NSW is in lockdown until at least midnight next Saturday, our competitions have hit another major hurdle,” he wrote.
“Information received from NSW police is that residents must abide by the ‘stay at home’ rules that are in place during the lockdown.
“There has been some messaging on social sites that border-bubble permits can be utilised, however that information is false.
“NSW State law dictates that no community sport is allowed in NSW, resulting in both Wentworth and Robinvale Euston being severely impacted with a large percentage of their members being NSW residents, unable to travel into Victoria.
“The league cannot continue with fixturing and condoning members being in breach of the current State laws that are in place.”
The final round fixture saw Wentworth hosting Imperials, while Mildura was set to host Robinvale Euston. Wentworth had an outside chance of making the top four in the senior football grade, but only if fourth-placed Mildura lost to lowly-placed Robinvale Euston and if Wentworth were to upset Imperials by a decent margin.
Wentworth, however, is on top in A, B and C grade netball, and the league will only proceed with finals if all teams can participate. If restrictions are not lifted, the SFNL conceded the season would need to be scrapped for the second year running.
“We are unsure of when the NSW lockdown will be lifted, however the current climate does not look encouraging plus the Victorian landscape could change for the worst at any time,” Walker said.
“At this point, we cannot make any informed decisions when we are unsure of when we are able to play. The stop-start scenario over the past months has a negative bearing on our players and competitions.”
The SFNL board will reconvene early next week and determine whether the NSW restrictions have either been eased or extended which will have a bearing on when we return.
“With this uncertainty, it is the board’s intention that this weekend’s fixturing will be cancelled and upon return we enter straight into a final series in all football and netball competitions as scheduled,” Walker said.
It’s understood the league is willing to proceed with finals even if crowds are still not allowed in regional Victoria.
Last weekend, SFNL games were live-streamed with some strong viewing numbers recorded.
