WARRNAMBOOL and District Football Netball League has opted to scrap its round eight fixtures after a statewide seven-day coronavirus lockdown which threw sporting plans into chaos was announced on Thursday.
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The Hampden league, which was due to play its round seven matches, is considering its options which include following the WDFNL's path, rescheduling or splitting premiership points.
Other sports, including soccer and basketball, were impacted when the snap circuit-breaker put a line through community sport across Victoria until at least Friday, June 4.
Warrnambool and District league's board consulted with its clubs before making a decision.
"The WDFNL executive has, after consultation with all clubs, decided this weekend's round of football and netball will be null and void with no premiership points being allocated," it read.
"It was suggested to the clubs this round could be played on July 3 instead of having a bye, however the vast majority wished to retain the bye. It is unfortunate but not entirely unexpected this decision had to be taken and the WDFNL executive wishes to thank all clubs for their support and input.
"We look forward to resuming the season on Saturday week and ask that all associated with the WDFNL stay safe during these difficult times."
Hampden league executive member and media liaison manager Troy Logan said it would weigh up the situation before making a decision.
"This (lockdown) is for seven days and experience tells us that until closer to the end of the seven days we don't know if it will be extended beyond that," he told The Standard. Logan said it needed to be open-minded and consider all options.
"We do have a bye round up our sleeve (to reschedule) should we decide that's the best way forward," he said.
Logan said other issues, such as potentially re-starting without crowds or with crowd restrictions, might need to be navigated.
Ballarat and District Soccer Association club Warrnambool Rangers was to host Daylesford at Jones Oval on Sunday.
Milestone matches will be delayed.
South Warrnambool's Thompson brothers - Nick and Sam - were to play their 200th and 150th matches respectively on Saturday against Portland.
North Warrnambool Eagles' Jarryd Lewis was preparing for his 150th game which was to be against Hamilton Kangaroos.
"This extends to all on premise activities including golf retail, coaching and playing."
Rangers president Cam Pyke said the team would love to reschedule the match for later in the season rather than wipe the fixture completely or split points.
"I know the league with their fixturing do put in some scheduled bye rounds, weeks where no games are played," Pyke told The Standard.
"I know there is one in July which is a scheduled week off and there is also one in August.
"Our August one will already be occupied by our Bacchus Marsh game that we're rescheduling.
"My assumptions would be that the games from this weekend would probably be attempted to be slotted into a free weekend where available to make sure the fixture stays even."
Pyke, who also plays in the Rangers' division one side, said there might also be an option of scheduling a double-header week.
"The Ballarat teams will have the flexibility to be able to play mid-week or Friday night games because they have the lighting facilities at Morshead Park," he said.
"But because of the geographical locations for Daylesford and Warrnambool, we wouldn't be able to fixture a midweek game so it would have to be a free weekend or a mutual arrangement."
Pyke said playing was a priority for his team.
"We're not looking to take easy points or easy results, we want to play as many games of soccer as possible, especially after the last year," he said.
"Whether it's the team at the top or the bottom of the ladder, we just want to play games."
Big V basketball has also been impacted.
Warrnambool Seahawks were due to host Melbourne-based Coburg Giants at the Arc on Saturday night in a division one men's battle.
Warrnambool Mermaids, who play in the division one women's competition, were planning a trip to face Mildura Heat.
It would have been one of the Lee Primmer-coached side's longest road trips of the regular season.
Warrnambool Golf Club has also notified players its course will be closed during the lockdown.
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