The North Central Football League is in no rush to follow the Heathcote District Football Netball League and makde a decision on its 2020 season.
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NCFL general manager Lance Standfield said the league would wait for more advice from the state government and AFL Victoria before making a call on whether the 2020 season goes ahead.
"We've been in constant contact with our clubs and we've suggested July 18 as the latest date we can start our season,'' Standfield said.
"There'll probably be further (government) announcements later this week and we'll wait and see what's to come out of those anouncements.
"We'll take whatever action we need to after that. We're not in a rush to make a decision. We might wait a few more weeks."
Late on Thursday night the HDFNL board voted to cancel its 2020 season because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Standfield said NCFL clubs had similar concerns to the HDFNL clubs, with the availability of crowds high on their agenda.
"Our clubs want crowds. They've indicated that if there's no crowds there'd be no games,'' Standfield said.
"We have looked at a scenario where maybe only the first two rounds could be played without crowds and then the rest of the season with crowds.
"That would only leave five rounds with crowds, so that might not work (financially).
"We'll pose that question again down the track."
AFL Victoria sanctioned small group training can resume from today, but Standfield said most NCFL clubs would not be hitting the track this week.
"I've heard of only one or two clubs starting the small group training,'' Standfield said.
"I think a lot of people are waiting on a starting date for the season before they get started.
"Players have been doing their own training. There's a lot of players that want to get out there and play, but at the same time they understand everything that comes with this as well.''
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