IT FELT like another case of deja vu for South Bendigo's netballers as they returned to Zoom training sessions this week.
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With Victoria in lockdown since midnight last Thursday until at least midnight this Thursday, the Bloods - like all clubs - have anxiously been awaiting word from the state government and the BFNL on whether this weekend's round of matches would go ahead.
The answer arrived early Wednesday afternoon, with the state government announcing a proposed easing of a raft of restrictions after midnight on Thursday in regional Victoria, but no reprieve for senior sporting competitions this weekend, meaning a second straight weekend without BFNL matches.
While South Bendigo coach Jannelle Hobbs conceded a return to action this weekend had looked increasingly unlikely with each passing day this week as the number of active cases in the state continued to climb, her focus had remained on having her side as best prepared as possible for when the green light for competition to resume was eventually given.
"We have been preparing for this week and Kangaroo Flat, but that's unlikely, so at this stage, we'll do two Zoom sessions this week," she said.
"In the event we are allowed to play or train this week, we'll have a light session on Friday night.
"But if we are still in lockdown or can't play or train, the Zooms will continue."
After six rounds, the Bloods find themselves in fourth spot on the ladder with a 3-2 record.
Hobbs said securing a top-three spot ahead of finals was the definite aim for her side when competition resumes.
"The stumbling block is there are three very good sides (Kangaroo Flat, Gisborne and Sandhurst) above us," she said.
"But we will keep working on it and hopefully we can reach that top three.
"We've had a good start to the year at South, with our sides in every grade sitting around third or fourth.
"It's a pity a halt has been put on our preparations. It's disappointing, we are nearly at the end of round one and all of a sudden had to stop, it's so hard on everyone mentally.
"We've been training since January, so we are basically finding ourselves back in the situation we were in last year.
"We hope we can get back sooner rather than later."
While avoiding an ultra-tough assignment against 2021 season powerhouse Kangaroo Flat might be viewed as a godsend by some coaches, that is not the case with Hobbs, who was looking forward to a test of her side's mettle.
"I'm disappointed to miss any game, including last week against Golden Square - we were all primed and ready to go for that one," she said.
"Being my former club, it's always a special game for me against Flat, so I was definitely hoping it went ahead.
"They are obviously the team to test yourself against, I'm sure it would have been a fantastic game and a real challenge.
"It does make it hard though not being able to train properly and that sort of thing.
"I just hope it opens up again soon, even just to get back to training.
"Zoom is good to keep connected and to do a little bit of fitness, but it's hard to do your court work and strategy-type stuff."
Other A-grade matches scheduled for this week included Kyneton v Sandhurst, Gisborne v Maryborough and Eaglehawk v Strathfieldsaye.
Like most clubs in the A-grade competition, South Bendigo last played on May 15 when it defeated Strathfieldsaye.
The wait in between games has been even longer for Sandhurst, which last played on May 8, when the Dragons defeated the Bloods by 40-goals.
Kangaroo Flat and Golden Square have enjoyed the shortest break between matches, having played a standalone match on May 22.
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