Football and netball is back for the Warrnambool and District league after its board voted to play the final round of the home-and-away season on Saturday.
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The board met on Tuesday night after the region was suddenly released from another coronavirus lockdown on Monday at 11.59pm.
Discussions centred on whether to play its final round or to head straight into finals without crowds.
"It is exciting having football and netball back with only one week to close out the regular season, we are hoping that we can have some regularity heading into our finals series," the league said in a social media post.
Mortlake's D.C. Farran Oval will also host the first weekend of the league's finals series, which includes the qualifying and elimination finals on August 21-22.
The semi-finals are to be played the next week at Merrivale Recreation Reserve and Davidson Oval with the preliminary final earmarked for Allansford before the league's champions are crowned at D.C. Farran Oval.
Measures will be in place for this weekend with face masks required except when participating in matches. QR code check-in is mandatory upon arrival and spectators are not allowed.
A density quotient of 1 per 4 square metres for all indoor and outdoor settings applies.
"While we understand it will be difficult for some clubs, it was felt while the opportunity is available to play competitive sport and round out the season we should avail ourselves of it," league secretary Peter Martin said in an email to clubs.
"Please note unfortunately players who travel from areas currently under lockdown restrictions are not able to play this weekend. There are to be no exceptions to this rule."
Three senior football sides will be vying for a spot in the top five to secure a finals berth.
South Rovers (fifth), Russells Creek (sixth) and Old Collegians (seventh) are all locked on 20 points heading into the final round.
The Lions and Warriors face each other while Creek has to defeat third-placed Panmure and hope Nick Sheehan's side wins to give themselves a shot at making the finals.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
