A LINE between junior and senior sport could see players who turn 19 throughout the 2020 Hampden league season excluded from full-contact training and competition due to coronavirus restrictions.
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The federal, state government and Australian Institute of Sport return-to-play guidelines classify 19-year-old athletes as adults.
On the directive of Victoria's chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton, the state government last Friday ruled out full-contact training and competition indefinitely for adults in regional areas.
AFL Western District commercial and operations manager Matt Ross said it was an unfortunate anomaly which could effect up to 32 players in the Hampden league's under 18.5 competition.
"Unfortunately that is where the distinct lines between an adult and a junior are," he said.
"Under 18.5s who turn 19 during the season move to be classified under adults in the guidelines and won't be able to partake in contact training or competition.
"That is the line and sand and there is sadly nothing we can do about that. It's unfortunate for those players in that situation.
"It will have massive impact across the Hampden league where there is 32 players out of all the teams that turn 19 before mid-October who could be impacted."
Ross said at least four players per club would be impacted.
"There is no way to mitigate that restriction at all so they could continue to train with their clubs but non-contact and it's hard for them to do that while the rest of team can partake in contact," he said.
But high-quality talent is still expected to take the field.
South Warrnambool will field three NAB League-listed stars who, under normal circumstances, would be playing for Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
Roosters under 18.5 mentor Tait Niddrie said Fraser Marris, Marcus Herbert and Myles McCluggage were all eligible to play.
He said his side was "champing at the bit" for competitive football.
"They've been going really hard at it since we've been back training," Niddrie said.
"Since we've been able to do contact training they've really dived in head first.
"I think they're just really pumped for Saturday now and to get out there."
Niddrie said South Warrnambool had "27 or 28" players listed in the under 18.5 category.
"We'll have to make sure everyone gets a go and if they're not playing, they know the reasons why so we can help them improve their footy," he said.
"That's a huge part of what we're doing, trying to help young footballers improve aspects of their game."
Portland under 18.5 coach Tony Jackson said players with both NAB League and senior experience had filtered back to his side.
Jamo Ballantyne, Toby Jennings, Tex Mitchell, Jai Langenberg, Jed Saunders, Luke Driscoll and Sam Hampshire are all pressing for selection.
Jackson said he would field a "mosquito fleet" against North Warrnambool Eagles on Saturday. "They're usually pretty strong and are well coached," he said.
"The boys are a bit rusty having had so long off but they're excited to go."
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