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THURSDAY night is shaping as D-day for the Loddon Valley league and its 2020 season prospects.
The board and club presidents will meet on Thursday night, with league chair Simon Tuohey saying on Wednesday he hoped there would be a final decision made on the 2020 season.
"I'd like to say there would be (a definitive decision made), but I'm not sure the clubs will want that, so I'm not too sure," Tuohey said.
"But there's more and more leagues pulling out all the time."
Two more competitions withdrew on Wednesday, with the Central Murray and Golden Rivers leagues adding to the growing list across the state, but the door has been left ajar by Central Rivers board for a modified season in August and September if restrictions allow.
AFL Central Victoria has already had two of its senior leagues - Heathcote District and North Central - abandon their 2020 season due to the continued uncertainty around return to play timeframes, will crowds be allowed and subsequent financial implications and coronavirus health and safety concerns.
Reigning Loddon Valley senior football and A Grade premier Mitiamo expects the season to be cancelled and has already indicated that it wouldn't be competing this year regardless.
"I can't see it happening... we delayed a decision a couple of weeks ago to see if there was going to be any light at the end of the tunnel, but I still can't see any," Superoos president Rob Clohesy said.
"We'll be voting that we're out, and to be honest, we've made the decision now that we wouldn't be playing the year anyway if there's a competition or not.
"The economics of it just don't add up... people talk about the players playing for nothing, but it's just not feasible, so we've taken the decision as a committee that we'll be out, regardless of whatever decision is made."
The economics of it just don't add up... people talk about the players playing for nothing, but it's just not feasible, so we've taken the decision as a committee that we'll be out, regardless of whatever decision is made
- Rob Clohesy - Mitiamo president
Newbridge president Kristian Shevlin also expects the line will be drawn through the Loddon Valley for 2020 on Thursday night.
"I think with the decisions other leagues are making that it seems inevitable that we will be cancelling our season," Shevlin said.
"My feeling is a lot of the committees and players have got their heads around the thought of not playing.
"There will be some players who are still motivated, but a large group that won't be, so that would make it hard for the reserves competition to get up.
"Our numbers that have been back training have been good, but it has been hard to get them all up and about."
Meanwhile, Maiden Gully YCW president Chris Garlick says the Eagles are still prepared to keep hope alive for their players and won't be voting to call off the season on Thursday night.
"Realistically, unless crowds were allowed in full I don't think it will proceed," Garlick said.
"But from our point of view I don't think there's any negatives to holding out (further on a decision). The club is there to provide the opportunity for sport and while there's a glimmer of hope, even though it's very unlikely, we won't be voting to cancel the season.
"We would like to wait as long as we can from our perspective.
"But whatever happens, we would still like to see under-18s go ahead in some form, whether it's modified or with a mix of Heathcote District and Bendigo league clubs... we'll be pushing strongly for that."
HOW THE LODDON VALLEY TEAMS ARE FARING IN THE ADDY ISO-SEASON:
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