A long BFNL board meeting on Monday night examined several scenarios for the completion of the season and the issues surrounding the potential unavailability of Melbourne-based players.

In the end, the league decided to stick with this weekend's round 17 fixture which sees Sandhurst hosting Kyneton, Gisborne travelling to Maryborough, Golden Square at home to Castlemaine, Kangaroo Flat playing South Bendigo and the match of the round between Strathfieldsaye and Eaglehawk at Tannery Lane.

An announcement on the remainder of the season and finals matches will be made at a later date.

"Considering the somewhat unexpected announcements yesterday by the Victorian Government to ease regional Victoria lockdown restrictions from 11.59pm Monday, August 9, I wish to advise on behalf of the BFNL board the intent for an immediate return to BFNL competition on the 14th August, with all round 17 matches to be played as scheduled,'' BFNL manager Cameron Tomlins said in a statement.

"There are only limited participation opportunities now available for the remainder of the 2021 season, and following an extended break from competition the board feel for numerous reasons it is important to ensure players, officials, and volunteers can return to competition as is allowed by the state government.

"The board acknowledges significant uncertainty remains, including the immediate availability of metropolitan based players for some clubs, and wish to monitor relevant health advice in the coming 24 hours before confirming further details regarding all regular season and finals matches, and eligibility requirements.

"Unfortunately, spectators are again not permitted for this round of matches, and we will share updated AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria protocols as they become available.

"The board urges all clubs to consider an immediate reduction of all non-essential expenses (including player match payments) if and where possible."

The availability of Melbourne-based players has a bearing on all BFNL clubs, in particular Gisborne and Kyneton.

Should Melbourne-based players be unable to travel to regional Victoria this weekend the Bulldogs and Tigers will field depleted senior football teams and struggle to field reserves teams.

Fourth-placed Gisborne is right in the mix for a top-three berth and can't afford to drop four points to Maryborough.

Even with its best team on the park, Kyneton faced a tough task against Sandhurst at the QEO.

The HDFNL board met on Monday night and decided to continue with its original plan of scrapping matches lost due to lockdown.

This Saturday will be round 17 of the home and away season.

"We play this week as scheduled and then play the last home and away round the following week,'' HDFNL chairman Peter Cole said.

"There could be some clubs that struggle for numbers in the reserves this week, but it is what it is.

"We move on, hopefully, we get through the next two weeks and then look forward to finals."

With two rounds remaining in the HDFNL senior football season two things are certain - Lockington-Bamawm United will finish with the minor premiership and no team outside the top five can work their way into the finals.

It's more than likely that fifth-placed Mt Pleasant will be one of the teams competing in the elimination final, but you can't quite lock that in yet.

Second through to fourth is a logjam that is complicated by the potential unavailability of Melbourne-based players this weekend.

Second-placed Colbinabbin, third-placed North Bendigo and fourth-placed White Hills are locked on 38 points - one win ahead of Mt Pleasant.

Colbo, North and White Hills have a number of high quality players that live in Melbourne that could be unavailable this weekend, while Mounts have the bye.

Colbo plays Elmore, North is away to Huntly and White Hills travels to Leitchville-Gunbower - all games you'd expect them to win in a normal round.

If Melbourne-based players can't play this weekend that opens the door for some upset results.

In the LVFNL, the top five is set ahead of this Saturday's final round.

Win or lose its clash with second-placed Bridgewater, Mitiamo will finish on top of the table and advance straight to the second semi-final.

Bridgewater can't finish higher than second or drop outside of the top three, so the Mean Machine will play Marong in the qualifying final.

Marong will warm up for the finals with a trip to seventh-placed Newbridge this weekend.

Fourth-placed Pyramid Hill and fifth-placed Bears Lagoon-Serpentine will play each other two weeks in a row.

Firstly, they'll clash at Serpentine this Saturday in the final round before, secondly, meeting in the elimination final on Sunday, August 22.

In the remaining match this Saturday, bottom team Inglewood and sixth-placed MGYCW will play for pride.

Calivil United has the bye and its senior footy season is done and dusted.

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