SENIORS
After discussing the recent correspondence from AFL Gippsland and AFL Victoria and in accordance with the AFL Victoria Covid Framework guidelines that require a 14 day training period (seniors last played 10 July) for umpires and players prior to commencement of football and in the interests of public safety the EDFL Board of Management (BOM) have no alternative than call off the 2021 senior season.
As per previous plans the EDFL ruled senior finals would not commence while Metro Melbourne is in lockdown and 2 October the final day football would be played.
Now that the Metro lockdown will not finish any earlier than 23 September and then provision for a two week training period (if it is allowed) the earliest the grand final could be held is 9 October and this cannot be guaranteed taking into account the current Covid situation. As we played half a season it is very disappointing there was not a satisfactory conclusion to the senior season however all persons involved with senior football cannot put up with the uncertainty of indefinite lockdown extensions any longer - hence the season is called off.
JUNIORS
If junior football does not commence as planned with two preliminary finals on 18 September (this is contingent on the state government removing the regional lockdown restrictions) the EDFL Board of Management (BOM) has put up a few plans to maximise the opportunity of playing both preliminary finals. Among these and to buy a little bit more time it is prepared to play the Preliminary finals on either 24 Sept or 26 September and the Grand Final (1 v 2) on 2 October - if not before if possible. However for matches to go ahead after 25 September (as the juniors would not have played for 5 weeks – since 14 August) there must be a minimum 7 day training period permitted in advance of the game as per the AFL Victoria Covid Framework guidelines.
Last Modified on 03/09/2021 08:15
