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A NORTH Central league season could go only go ahead this year in front of crowds - that's the overwhelming view of clubs in a survey response to 2020 options.
The NCFL season was originally slated to start on April 18, but like all community competitions is on hold for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the league awaiting the next direction from AFL Victoria, which is expected to come this week once the AFL outlines its re-launch plans.
The National Cabinet on Friday released its three-step road map for the relaxing of restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus, with each state and territory to decide when they're introduced.
As far as looking forward to how community sport could include crowds, the road map so far only stretches to maximum gatherings of up to 100 people when stage three is introduced.
The uncertainty around mass gathering restrictions has forced competitions to consider the viability of running seasons this year if crowds aren't permitted to attend.
"If there's no crowds it's basically going to mean no season," NCFL general manager Lance Standfield said on Sunday.
"It's not just about what happens on the field, there's a whole community aspect to a day in the league and the social connection it provides for people on a Saturday you could say to some is probably more important than the result of the game."
If clubs have a full quota of teams, a day in the North Central league could feature up to 14 games across football (four), netball (six) and hockey (four) competitions.
Meanwhile, if a 2020 season does go ahead in the North Central league, it will be at a reduced salary cap.
The league is endorsing the two-step recommendation from the AFL to cut salary caps by, firstly, 50 per cent, and then an additional pro-rata reduction based on the amount of games played.
The NCFL salary cap was to have been $130,000 this year for a 16-game home and away season, which under the stage one reduction would be trimmed back to $65,000 before the pro-rata cut.
With eight clubs the NCFL would only need seven games to complete a home and away season where all teams play each other once, followed by a top-four finals series.
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