THERE will be only two senior games in this Saturday's final home and away round of the North Central Football League, with both Wycheproof-Narraport and Donald forfeiting.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Melbourne travel restrictions have also forced the league to alter the start date of its finals series, which will now begin on August 28 instead of August 21.
Wycheproof-Narraport took the position a fortnight ago when the NCFL resumed without spectators on July 31 that no crowd wasn't viable and as such forfeited its football matches against Sea Lake Nandaly.
Following last week's abandonment of games due to another lockdown, the NCFL season will resume this Saturday, but again without spectators, meaning the Demons will again forfeit, this time against Boort.
However, with Melbourne-based players unavailable due to travel restrictions, that has forced Donald into the tough decision to forfeit its senior and reserves football games.
Donald is fixtured to play Sea Lake Nandaly at home.
"Donald has a very large contingent of players coming out of Melbourne and, unfortunately, has had to forfeit its reserves and seniors this week," NCFL chairman Tim Lockhart said on Thursday.
"They also copped quite a few injuries in their last outing, so they are down about 17 players.
"They were looking at having to bring up six reserves players and nine debutantes out of the under-16s for the seniors to play Sea Lake and following a members meeting the decision was made to look after player welfare and it's not worth the risk.
"They have tried their hardest, but unfortunately, they don't have the firepower to play this weekend."
With Sea Lake Nandaly having now been the opponent for two teams that have forfeited, coupled with three weekends of abandoned games, it means the top-of-the-ladder Tigers will go into their second semi-final on August 28 having not played since July 10 - a break of 49 days.
And with the Melbourne travel restrictions in place this weekend, it means NCFL wins will only be worth two points instead of the usual four following the introduction of the new rule earlier this year in preparation for such a scenario.
Going into Saturday's last round the four finalists are set - Sea Lake Nandaly (36 points), Wedderburn (34), Birchip-Watchem (32) and Donald (22).
The two forfeits leave the only two senior games being Birchip-Watchem hosting Wedderburn, with the winner to finish second and earn the double chance, and Charlton playing St Arnaud.
With the Melbourne lockdown extended until at least 11.59pm next Thursday, which has a major impact on Donald leading into the finals, the NCFL board has re-structured its finals.
The second semi-final will stay on Saturday, August 28, but the first semi-final, which will feature Donald, has been moved back from August 21 to Sunday, August 29.
The preliminary final (September 4) and grand final (September 11 at Wycheproof) at this stage remain as is.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News