Coronavirus restrictions force 2020 NAB League season cancellation
THE NAB League 'will they, won't they play' roller-coaster has come to a stop.
The statewide under 18 competition was cancelled on Tuesday night following the Victorian government's decision to implement stage four restrictions in Melbourne and re-introduce stage three restrictions in regional Victoria for a minimum of six weeks to flatten the coronavirus curve.
Five country clubs, including Greater Western Victoria Rebels, were expected to play six boys' games starting August 22.
The female competition, which started in February before the season was thrown into chaos, was expected to re-start in September.
No return date had been set for the metropolitan clubs.
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DRAFT DREAM: Renee Saulitis has aspirations of playing AFLW. Picture: Adam Trafford
Now players are awaiting news on when the AFLW and AFL drafts will take place and whether there will be any form of games, even a scratch match, to impress recruiters.
Draft prospect Renee Saulitis played two games for the Rebels' girls side in February and March, including kicking two match-defining goals, before the season was put on hold.
The Ballarat-based boarder, who started her football at Warrnambool and is now home for six weeks of remote learning, said it was a relief to take to the field in 2020.
"I am grateful for those couple of games but it is disappointing," Saulitis said.
"I didn't get my hopes up (of it re-starting) seeing as the (COVID-19 case) numbers in Melbourne were going up."
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SIDELINED: Warrnambool's Patrick Rea wanted to make an impact as a GWV Rebels-listed top-age player in 2020 but didn't get the chance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Morgan Hancock
Saulitis is hoping there's a chance to play in some capacity prior to the draft.
"Hopefully there can be something but if not they (recruiters) will look back on previous games," she said.
The creative midfielder-forward believes "there is room for improvement in every game" but was happy with her output in the only two matches she played this season as a top-age prospect.
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She will maintain contact with her coach in the lead-up to the draft and "keep my eyes on the goal at the end of the year".
The AFLW is yet to confirm whether it will run a testing combine prior to the draft as per past seasons.
Saulitis is hopeful she could score an invite if it did take place.
"I would love to challenge myself and see how I would go up against all the other girls," she said.
YEAR OVER: Mitch Burgess wanted to play VFL for Geelong and NAB League for GWV Rebels in 2020 but instead failed to play a game due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Picture: Mark Witte
She spent the break working on her skills and fitness, often training in small groups or individually.
"I've been casually going for a kick with someone but we haven't been able to get a huge group of girls together to do anything," Saulitis said.
"Sometimes I can kick with my brother (Justin) - now that I am home I'll have to drag him to the oval."
Saulitis, who turns 18 next Friday, is focusing on VCE.
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She conceded the pandemic restrictions had had a bearing on students' mindsets.
"You always get told year 12 is the best year but we haven't really had anything to look forward to," she said.
EAGER: South Warrnambool's Stella Bridgewater made GWV Rebels' 2020 squad and made her NAB League debut in February before the COVID-19 pandemic threw the competition into chaos. Picture: Morgan Hancock
University is on the cards for Saulitis next year too.
"I am not really sure what I want to do (career-wise) but I think going to uni would keep me entertained," she said.
"Something to do with sport and nutrition."
The Rebels had strong south-west Victoria representation in their boys and girls' NAB League squads in 2020.
Almost half of the 50-strong boys' list was from the Hampden, Warrnambool and District and Mininera and District competitions and seven players from the area featured in the girls' squad.