Return to Play – 19th June

AFL Outer East can confirm all competitions, football and netball will be returning this week.  The Victorian Government today announced further easing of restrictions across the state, which take effect from 11:59pm on Thursday 17 June.

Below is a summary of key information for this week:

RESTRICTIONS

METRO

• Only the required participants (one parent of an U18 child) are allowed to attend the matches.
• Required participants include- Players, coaches officials, runners, team mangers, trainers, Umpire escorts, timekeepers, Umpires including Club umpires if required, Covid safety volunteers, Club committee.
• Once a match has finished, participants become spectators. Ie: once the Reserves finish playing, they are then classed as spectators and will need to leave the venue.

REGIONAL

The following restrictions will apply for Broadford vs Alexandra and Yea vs Yarra Glen:

• Spectators can attend
• Crowd maximum of 1000

PLAYING TIMES

Following feedback and consultation from clubs, playing times for football will be slightly reduced over the next two rounds, as all players and umpires return to full match fitness.

With 4 weeks between the last fixtured games and restrictions limiting training, we have introduced the following times with a view to minimise injuries of players and umpires.

Changes to Football Quarter lengths (19-6-21 & 26-6-21)

• Seniors – 15 mins Plus time on.
• Reserves – 17 mins No time on.
• U19’s – 17 mins No time on.
• Women’s – 15mins No time on.
• U17 Boys & Girls Sat & Sun comps – 15mins No time on.
• U15’s and below, will remain the same.

CLUB COSTS

We are mindful that the costs for clubs is a key challenge in the current environment.

To assist clubs the Commission is covering the cost of all Football Umpires (Junior & Senior) this week for matches in the Metro region.

LOVE OF THE GAME ROUND

AFL Outer East is calling on all players and coaches this week, if they can, to play for the love of the game or on decreased match payments, to assist clubs in getting through this week.

We understand that some people’s circumstances may require no change to their payment arrangement, however if possible, our players have a role to play in helping our clubs through this period.

We thank our football umpiring group and the Yarra Ranges Umpires association, who will be umpiring on a reduced rate for this week, to support the return to football.

SPECTATORS

 Spectators cannot attend this week’s games in metro regions. We understand this is difficult news for everyone, however we ask that our community do the right thing, so we can return to normal as soon as possible.

LIVE STREAM

Though you can’t be there, this week, with thanks to our media partner Gameface, members and supporters can watch at home, with each Senior football match livestreamed through the Home clubs Facebook page.

Games with crowds will not be live streamed.

VIRTUAL GATE

A virtual gate/ticketing system has been implemented for the games in Metro Melbourne. The host club will receive the funds for the purchases at their games, as they would normally. We ask that all supporters (home and away) get behind this initiative and buy a ticket to the game, to help clubs this week.

Supporters also can donate to the host club this week if they wish.

Premier Division

Cranbourne v Pakenham – https://premierdivision-cranbournevpakenham.intix.com/

Doveton v Olinda Ferny Creek – https://premierdivisionr8-dovetonvolinda.intix.com/

Upwey Tecoma v Narre Warren – https://premierdivisionr8-upweyvnarrew.intix.com/

Woori Yallock v Beaconsfield – https://premierdivisionr8-woorivbeaconsfield.intix.com/

1st Division

Emerald v Belgrave – https://1stdivisionr9-emeraldvbelgrave.intix.com/

Gembrook Cockatoo v Monbulk – https://1stdivisionr9-gembrookvmonbulk.intix.com/

Mount Evelyn v Healesville – https://1stdivisionr9-mtevelynvhealesville.intix.com/

Seville v Officer – https://1stdivisionr9-sevillevofficer.intix.com/

2nd Division

Powelltown v Kinglake – https://2nddivisionr9-powelltownvkinglake.intix.com/

Yarra Junction v Warburton Millgrove – https://2nddivisionr9-yarrajunctionvwarburton.intix.com/