Most indicated they were anticipating the call made at this week's meeting between clubs and the BFNL board, acknowledging the unprecedented circumstances facing sports administrators across Victoria.

While there is natural disappointment over a season lost, coaches were united in their belief the right decision was made.

Sandhurst triple premiership coach Tamara Gilchrist said Wednesday night's decision had brought mixed emotions for players and clubs.

"We're devastated, but probably relieved at the same time - it's sad not to play, but now what?" she said.

"Two weeks ago, I thought we were a real chance (of a season) ... up until this latest outbreak.

"I think they have made the right call for the situation we all find ourselves in."

Gilchrist said the period between last month's return to training and this week's decision had been among the most challenging in her long involvement in netball.

"Training without having a goal at the end has been really challenging, trying to keep the training interesting while working within the rules of what we can do," she said.

"There were lots and lots of different things, like sanitising balls, that made it a challenge to actually be able to use the balls a lot, so we opted not to a lot of the time.

"It's so limited to what you can and can't do."

Gilchrist indicated the Dragons would continue to do some form of training in the weeks ahead and was thrilled to see the league continue plans to stage a 17-and-under competition.

Like their A-grade counterparts, the Dragons 17-and-under netballers were also chasing a premiership four-peat in 2020.

The call to abort the season followed Gisborne's decision 24 hours earlier to withdraw its netball teams from the 2020 competition.

Kangaroo Flat coach Jayden Cowling said the decision had come as no shock to anyone at Dower Park.

"All of our girls were expecting it. Obviously they're disappointed, but happy their health and safety has been considered," he said.

"It is what it is, we can't do much about it.

"They knew where things stood, I think now they are glad and relieved to get an answer because it has been a bit of a drag the last few weeks."

Cowling, the BFNL's senior inter-league coach, praised BFNL general manager Cameron Tomlins and league officials for their tireless efforts in trying to salvage the season over the last few months.

"Cam has done an amazing job, he has a very tough gig and it was a massive call to make," he said.

"You don't see a footy-netball league cancelling a season too often, but he has been very open about it from day one and everyone has been on the same page.

"We can look forward to next year now."

Cowling said the Roos would continue to run optional training sessions, as much to keep players socially connected than to maintain fitness, which was already at high levels.

"We are such a close bunch, so we don't want to lose that contact. Just because the season is done, there is no reason why we can't catch up and do some training," he said.

"The girls have been training really hard, it's probably the fittest I've seen them.

"That extra down time they've had (during the lockdown), they've really worked hard on their own fitness."

The BFNL is the last of four senior leagues, under the umbrella of AFL Central Victoria, to cancel its season.

Heathcote District was the first to make a call in May, followed a few weeks later by the North Central and Loddon Valley.

South Bendigo coach Jannelle Hobbs believed the prospect of a BFNL season had diminished as the number of leagues cancelling their season gathered pace, but confessed she still held plenty of hope as recently as a few weeks ago.

"When we had a potential starting date I was confident, but once the government took that away and the date for the contact away, the writing was on the wall pretty much," she said.

"In the end, we just ran out of time; we needed to get a start in July and that's not going to happen now obviously, particularly the way Melbourne is going now.

"When you have got footballers coming up from Melbourne, it makes life hard.

"It's disappointing, but deep down I think the last few weeks we knew it was coming with the change in circumstances.

"At least we know now, the girls are happy to have the clarity. We were sick of just waiting.

"There's not much that could be done and in the end I'm sure the right decision has been made."

Hobbs confirmed the Bloods would take a break from training for the time being, but would press ahead with their usual one-on-one player-coach interviews at a later date, to monitor player welfare.

One of the biggest positives to emerge from Wednesday night's meeting between the BFNL and its clubs, according to coaches, was the commitment to a 17-and-under season.

"It's hugely important for the 17-and-under players, a year lost of their development is obviously not ideal at that age," Hobbs said.

"Especially the top-age girls having their last year in juniors, it's really important to have some type of competition.

"We all have our fingers crossed that nothing changes and that gets up and running. It's good they have set a date."

READ MORE:

Gisborne decision a 'no-brainer', says coach

GAME OVER - BFNL abandons 2020 season, but commits to junior competition

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