The grand old lady of Bendigo sports the Queen Elizabeth Oval hasn't had a winter's afternoon like it.

COVID-19 restrictions forced the BFNL to make a late decision on Friday evening to ban spectators from attending all matches.

Sandhurst co-captain Lee Coghlan said it was a surreal feeling to play in front of no fans, particularly in such a big game against old rival Eaglehawk.

"It was weird running onto the ground at the start and there was just nothing,'' he said.

"If you wanted to create some atmosphere it was up to the players to generate it.

"The first quarter I really noticed it and then after that I probably got used to it.

"It was bizarre to see people standing outside the gates watching. Those gates at the city end of the QEO look like prison bars...it made for a sombre sort of atmosphere."

Players didn't have access to changerooms, which made for an interesting preparation for the match.

"Both teams just got changed on the concrete,'' Coghlan said

"A few of our boys rocked up basically in their full kit with just a jumper over the top. It was real under-12 style, which was pretty humorous.

"We just tried to embrace it as much as we could and Eaglehawk definitely did as well. Hats off to them, they did a great job.

"It was a ripping game of footy."

Coghlan praised the BFNL for ensuring the round went ahead, despite the difficult circumstances.

"If the league wanted to get the season in as normal they had to get this round played,'' Coghlan said.

"It was a huge effort by the league and clubs to make the round go ahead as it did.

"Fingers crossed everything goes to plan from here and we get a season in where everyone plays each other twice and then the finals.

"Hopefully, the restrictions will change for next week."

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