Season 2020 - Hard Yakka VFL

2020 VFL Season has been cancelled confirmed in a statement by the AFL

First time since 1944 no VFA/VFL season has been played - 76 years ago

It is 6th season ever to be canceled in VFA/VFL history. 1916 & 1917 for World World 1 and 1942-1944 for World War 2. "They even played thru Spanish Flu"

Dan Andrews has announced Metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will return to Stage 3 restictions from midnight tomorrow night until August 19

The season to start on August 1 with Coburg vs Sandringham

Casey Demons just annnounced they will withdraw from 2020 VFL season. They have cited it on medical and health grounds.

the remaining 7 clubs are continuing to try and get a season going from August 1.

Thought I should start up a thread to cover last minute additions to the clubs lists.  The aligned clubs of Box Hill and Casey Scorpions will obviously have quite a few additions to bring their list up to size.

Port Melbourne have signed former premiership player Shannon Lange along with Chris Jones and Jackson Starcevich.

Sandringham Football Club are excited to announce Adrian Connolly as our Senior Coach for the 2020 season. Adrian has been with the club for four years as a senior assistant coach. He brings an exceptional work ethic and high degree of experience to the role.

Adrian has had a long career in coaching having spent many years in the VAFA competition with local clubs Ormond, De La Salle and St Bede’s Mentone Tigers. Adrian then spent two years at Frankston as their midfield coach under current Southern Saints VFLW coach, Paddy Hill. Adrian has worked hard in his time at Sandringham strengthening local community contacts and working with the new young breed of players, making the transition to VFL football. In conjunction with David Cannizzo, Adrian was instrumental in introducing the Sandringham FC Community Combine Day, which has turned out to be very fruitful.

Adrian, on his appointment, was excited about the new role. “I would like to thank the club for this opportunity. Almost all the players that were signed pre-COVID19 have decided to play in 2020 and I am excited to see how we can develop this list this season”.

This appeared on Leader newspapers site today....surely it spells good news for crowds being allowed at VFL games too?

The Southern Football Netball League says its position remains unchanged and it’s aiming to start its season on Saturday, July 25.

The SFNL board met on Tuesday night and resolved to push on, despite the extension of Victoria’s state of emergency until July 19.

League officials are linking up with clubs from all four divisions this week.

Southern’s stance comes as AFL Victoria said this morning that crowds could attend matches but spectators must “be strictly compliant with government directions and restrictions’’.

They “should be in groups of no more than 10 people in open, outdoor venues and spread out around the ground or venue’’ and be 1.5m apart.

“Gathering limits will not apply to participants and those reasonably necessary to conduct the training or competition (e.g. umpires, coaches),’’ AFL Victoria said.

“Where venues allow for vehicle access surrounding the oval, spectators are encouraged to remain in their vehicle (subject to Government advice regarding risk for spectators viewing from vehicles, e.g. cohabiting family/household members only).’’

Clubs will be responsible for spectators observing social distancing.

AFL Victoria gave no information about a cap on crowd numbers.

The Southern league clubs will be asked to decide by Friday, July 3 if they want to take part in the season.

“With all the facts we have at hand, nothing’s really changed from the intention to start om July 25,’’ SFNL CEO Lee Hartman told Leader.

“We’re still pushing for that date.

“The information is being explained to the clubs over the next two nights and then they’ll have the option to enter teams or not.’’

Yesterday the clubs were drawn out of hat to determine who gets 4 home games and who gets 3 

4 home games: Coburg, Casey, Frankston and Williamstown 

3 home games: Box Hill, Port Melb, Sandringham and Werribee

Fixture could be out by Friday

Frankston have asked for a Round 6 game vs Sandringham to be played at SkyBus Stadiim (Frankston's 1000th VFA/VFL Game)

Casey are looking at either Linenhouse Centre, Seaford or sharing SkyBus Stadiim with Frankston

Coburg Likely to be playing home games at Rams Arena, Craigieburn 

I am having a few issues with the voting poll function on the website so I have removed it for the time being. 

However, I am interested to know (assuming crowds are allowed) whether we will see a resurgence in crowd numbers, particularly given less conflict with local footy comps this year.  I think we could be in for bumper crowds. 

Perhaps a cheaper membership option for first time sign-ups could really boost the finances of clubs. 

From www.vfl.com.au

FOOTY’S HERE – HARD YAKKA / TOTALLY WORKWEAR VFL SEASON TO COMMENCE IN AUGUST

AFL Victoria has today announced a return to competition date for the 2020 Hard Yakka / Totally Workwear VFL Season.

Eight VFL clubs will return to full-contact training from Monday 13 July with a seven-round season to commence on Saturday 1 August. The eight clubs will be Box Hill, Casey Demons, Coburg, Frankston, Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Werribee and Williamstown.

The 2020 season will conclude with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation “Love the Game Final Series” with the top four clubs competing in a three-week Finals Series, culminating with the VFL Grand Final on the weekend of 10 October. A VFL split round will be fixtured to provide flexibility while preserving the integrity of the competition.

“We want to thank the Victorian Government for their support of Victorian football and thank the wider Victorian community – for an environment where VFL can resume,” AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State League Competitions Tristan Salter said.

“In line with the variations to the women’s competition this year, the focus for both VFL and VFLW football in 2020 is to ensure talent in both leagues are provided with the best opportunity to develop as footballers and ultimately reach the elite level.

“The VFL Competition will look different in 2020, but in consultation with all eight clubs, have developed a model which enables a fair and equitable season for our fans, clubs, players, coaches and officials. The VFL community has been patient and committed during this time and all players and coaches are ready for training and matches to resume.

“While not all AFL-aligned VFL teams will participate in the competition, we look forward to seeing each of the five standalone VFL clubs involved in the season. Each of those traditional VFL clubs have played a significant role in ensuring the season goes ahead and we commend them it.”

The AFL will continue to work with clubs, participants, coaches, umpires and all volunteers to ensure we return to competition play in an effective and safe manner in adherence with the Sport and Recreation Victoria and AFL Return to Play Framework (RTP Framework).

“While the COVID-19 pandemic presents formidable challenges, we hope to start and finish the 2020 VFL season in a safe and responsible manner based on strict protocols now being finalised with the public health officials,” Salter said.

“We know how much these competitions mean to players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans and we look forward to working together to ensuring all clubs return to play in a safe and well managed environment.”

The AFL will continue to review all arrangements including potential crowds and broadcast models in consultation with players, clubs and Victorian State Government and respective Health Officers.

“We thank all our partners for their continued support of the VFL and VFLW and especially want to thank Hard Yakka / Totally Workwear and rebel who continue to be great partners of the leagues.” Mr Salter said.

“Hard Yakka / Totally Workwear is engrained in local communities across Victoria and rebel continues to champion women’s football, and female participation across all types of sport with the aim to increase gender diversity.”

“I would also like to thank Premier Partners Toyota and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation for their commitment and all our competition partners across this period. We have been overwhelmed by the commitment of our partners during this time, and a return to play would not be possible without their support,” Salter said.

The AFL will provide a further update in the coming days on the revised fixture, season details and broadcast arrangements. The VFL competition has a strong relationship with the Seven Network through their support of the competition and are working with them on what their support will look like this year.

AFL-listed players are not permitted to participate in the VFL due to the AFL’s ‘Return to Play’ protocols currently in place. The current AFL protocols permits only approved players and staff who form part of the current AFL program to attend their club venues. These players and staff undergo regular COVID-testing and must comply with the AFL’s Return to Play protocols.

AFL announced late today that the 2020 VFL season is happening with the 8 standalone clubs. A start date and a number of rounds etc. and fixture still to be determined. 

 

NAB League will also return.

No news yet on VFLW