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THE Heathcote District Football-Netball League has put its proposed 2021 Friday grand final plans on hold for 12 months.
The HDFNL put a proposal to its clubs a year ago to trial its 2021 season decider on the AFL grand final eve Friday public holiday.
However, given the major impact of the coronavirus pandemic on sport and the potential uncertainty of when the AFL grand final could be played next year if its 2021 season is again impacted, the HDFNL has put its plan on the backburner.
"We've decided not to pursue it for next year because we're not sure how the AFL season could be impacted and when that public holiday may be," HDFNL chairman Peter Cole said on Thursday.
"The AFL could pencil a date in for its grand final, but as we saw this year, can they guarantee it?
"So we'll stick with what we know as far as doing our fixture and then look at it again in 2022 because our clubs were positive to the proposal of playing on the Friday."
One of the leagues that has adopted the AFL grand final eve public holiday for its showcase day says the move has been a winner.
"The two years we've been doing it we've had record crowds... and that has been with ordinary weather as well," Outer East's Aaron Bailey told the Bendigo Advertiser last year after the HDFNL unveiled its proposal.
"We got terrific coverage in the lead-up to the day and being the last grand final of the year outside of the AFL, people are still looking for their footy fix."
The 2021 HDFNL fixture will be ratified at the league's annual general meeting later this month, with a likely start date of Saturday, April 10.
The 2021 HDFNL season is set to be full of anticipation given not only were players and supporters starved of a season this year, but the recruiting across the competition has been impressive.
There has also been a major change made for next year, with the under-17 age group being lifted to under-18 in the wake of no 2020 season.
Who is coaching your club in 2021:
COLBINABBIN:
Julian Bull
ELMORE:
Dylan Friedberger
HEATHCOTE:
Wayne Primmer
HUNTLY:
Stacy Fiske
LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER
Cameron Van Florenstein
LOCKINGTON-BAMAWM UNITED
Brodie Collins
MOUNT PLEASANT
Darren Walsh
NORTH BENDIGO
Matt Dillon
WHITE HILLS
Sam Kerridge
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