Community sport in the south-west has come to a grinding halt once again after the Victorian government sent the state into another snap lockdown due to Melbourne's coronavirus outbreak.
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The five-day snap lockdown, which comes into effect at 11.59pm tonight, is Victoria's third for the year and fifth in total.
The lockdown comes after the state recorded two new local COVID-19 cases today: a man and child who attended the MCG on Saturday, July 10, at the same time as a man in his 60s, who was infectious with the virus.
Victorians are only be allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons. For essentials, exercise, medical reasons or care-giving, authorised work or education and to get vaccinated.
The Hampden league was preparing for round 11 of its season while the Warrnambool and District league was set to play round 14.
HFNL president Garry Perrett and WDFNL counterpart Kylie Murphy were disappointed about the fifth lockdown.
Perrett said the Hampden league executive would meet next week to decide the fate of round 11.
"We will go zoom executive early next week and work out as far as whether we replay this round or whether we lose another round from the end of season or lose this round," he said.
"There's lots of scenarios that could play out."
Perrett said it was a bonus the league was able to have every club play each other once before lockdown struck again.
"So far everyone has played each other once so whoever finishes on top it's good luck to them," he said.
"They have got to win every game to win the grand final no matter who the opposition is."
Murphy said the WDFNL would also meet next week to discuss their plans for round 14.
"No decision will be made until next week when the board can meet up," she said.
"We will decide whether we cancel, keep points or not have points at all."
Other sports, including soccer and basketball, were impacted when the snap circuit-breaker lockdown put a line through community sport across Victoria until at least Tuesday, July 20.
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Big V confirmed on Thursday that round 17 had been postponed and rescheduled dates would be announced as soon as possible.
The Warrnambool Seahawks and Mermaids, who play in the division one men's and women's competition, were to host Warrandyte Venom and Camberwell Dragons at the Arc on Saturday night.
It was to be the first home game for the Lee Primmer-coached Mermaids side since May 22 when it lost to Melbourne Uni by 10 points.
Alex Gynes' Seahawks played their first game, a 16-point win over the Dragons, at home since May last Sunday.
Soccer is another sport impacted by the newest lockdown.
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The Warrnambool Rangers senior men's side, which is undefeated from its eight games, was scheduled to play Vic Park in the Ballarat and District Soccer Association this Sunday.
The South West Victoria Football Association was preparing to play its round 11 fixtures in the seniors, round eight for under 14 and 16s and round six for its under 12s.
Secretary Ollie Hodson said the association, at this stage, would return with round 12 next weekend and catch up from there.
Round five, which was also impacted by a lockdown earlier in the year, had also just been rescheduled.
Warrnambool and Port Fairy golf clubs have also notified players and their members their courses will be closed during the five-day lockdown.
More to come:
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