VFL clubs say they’re ‘hopeful’ of getting a season up
It’s been a long waiting game for VFL clubs but, after meeting with the AFL, they say they’re doing everything they can to get on the ground this year.
Paul Amy, Leader
Subscriber only
|
May 23, 2020 3:00pm
It’s a waiting game for Coburg prospect Marcus Lentini and his teammates.
What’s happening with your local Target store?
New coronavirus outbreak in Manningham
Charges laid over Mt Martha tyre slashing spate
VFL clubs remain hopeful of getting a season underway, but say they’re looking for a “road map’’ to push things forward.
Representatives from eight clubs – Box Hill, Casey, Coburg, Frankston, Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Werribee, Williamstown – spoke to the AFL on Friday about the prospect of play in 2020.
They were encouraged by Cricket Victoria’s decision to allow AFL Victoria to fixture football finals in the first three weeks of October.
The clubs released a statement today saying the AFL and other sporting bodies continued to talk with the State Government and medical authorities to “explore the potential for a full return to train and a return to play plan for the VFL’’.
“VFL clubs continue to ensure alignment with the advice of the State Government, and in the event of a further easing of restrictions, remain hopeful of a return to play in 2020,’’ the statement said.
Williamstown’s Jaylon Thorpe.
“There is a clear understanding at all levels — government, league and clubs — of the need to advise the players, staff and community of a ‘road map’ for a return to playing sport.
“While there is no set time frame for the State Government to deliver this information, there is a focus to provide this as soon as possible.’’
But the clubs said while the State Government regulations were a key component of the VFL or VFL W season starting, other issues needed to be resolved.
They included:
FROM OUR PARTNERS 
Westworld season 3 has rebooted on Foxtel Watch HBO and more exclusive Dramas
■ FINANCING the competition in the absence of crowds.
■ HEALTH protocols to ensure the safety of players and club staff and volunteers.
■ INSURANCE for the players.
The clubs said they were addressing them with the AFL.
“Certainly, yesterday’s announcement from AFL Victoria and Cricket Victoria confirming the ability to extend a football season into October 2020, is a positive outcome for this purpose,’’ the statement said.
MORE LOCAL FOOTY
CALL FOR REVIEW OF VFL, NAB LEAGUE
THE VFL'S TOP 50 PLAYERS SINCE 2000
“In the interim, each club is determining their own approach to when they decide to bring players back to training from the target date of June 1, given the individual positions in respect to ground availability, staffing and costs.’’
If the VFL season does kick off it will be without the teams from AFL clubs Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Geelong, North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Richmond.
It’s understood some clubs have also sounded players about playing without payment, as is happening in the SANFL this year.
Coburg GM Sebastian Spagnuolo said whichever it went, the VFL clubs believed they had done everything they could to get a season going.
I watched about 5 mins of the thugby tonight and that had crowd noises in the background and it was a lot better viewing experience than when they had no sound. I think you will find it will be the same for the AFL as well.The TV companies dont care about you and I vfa as they know we will be watching its the casual viewers they want and they will make as good a sporting spectale as possible for them because thats where the money (ratings) is!
I watched about 5 mins of
I see the RL have taken quite a hit from the TV companies for broadcast fees. It will be interesting to see how much the AFL will lose!
Catch up with what is happening at suburban & country fooy on the Local Footy Shown 7pm Friday nights @7:00pm , repeated on Sat morning @ 9:00am.
It is grass roots TV for grass roots footy.
In reply to Catch up with what is by blackrocker
What Channel Blackrocker?
It is Ch31 Billy. Great show with Daryl Pittman, Ian Bennett and Kev Murphy.
Yep I used to watch it bit it cuts across the 7 pm ABC News!Ill have a look on sat morning.
The other week they showed Caulfield v Glenhuntly footage from 1962. It was a Federal FL Preliminary Final played at Cheltenham. Very interesting footage shown in colour. I noticed Brian Ford's wife posted a couple of colour slides from a 1971 practice match Oakleigh v Yarraville 1971. I'll see if I can post these on here. Always great to see any videos or photos from the VFA from that era.
Billy local footy show worth a look tomorrow morning. Interview of david jackson reflecting 1967 port v dandy gf you will find interesting.
Billy local footy show worth
Local footy show has been running for 24 years
In reply to Billy local footy show worth by vfa
Heres the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxZ5WlItXg0
CH 7 did the 1967 and sometimes showed some of it on World of Sport.Jack Dyer said it was one of the roughest games ha had ever seen!GF CH 0 were there as well.
l.I have a feeling the Ch 0 deal was only for the H & A season and the VFA sold the finals seperately that year.
I watched the game from in front of the now Jack Dyer Stand.It was quite interesting and violent in bursts as were many VFA GFs were in that era..
I dont think the crowd really knew what the hell was going on!I John Peck ex Hawthorn enforcer was into it up to his neck.The umpire David Jackson is supposed to have paid 14 free kicks against Peck that day.
Umpire David Jackson was also hated by Sandringhan as at one stage the club threatened the VFA they wouldnt play if he was appointed to Zebras matches.He seemed have sets agaist certIan players and clubs.
The VFA finals were only played ar Punt Road for 3 years with poor GF crowds of 17,000,18,000 and in 1969 only 10,000 considering the two previous GFs 1965 and 1966 at North Port got 25,000 and 26,000
The next year the VFA returned to the Junction Oval for another 19 years.
,