Merrivale and Panmure's senior football and netball coaches are resigned to the fact that their hunt for premiership glory is over despite the easing of restrictions, saying "it is what it is".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Tigers and Bulldogs' top teams, who finished third and fourth respectively, won't contest for a flag due to the Warrnambool and District league's decision to stick to its finals plan.
Regional Victoria will be released from lockdown at 11.59pm on Thursday night but the latest easing of restrictions still limits outdoor community sport to training only.
While other leagues were yet to make a decision on their seasons, WDFNL president Kylie Murphy told The Standard on Wednesday the board wasn't meeting or altering its original plan.
With no play this weekend the finals would revert from a two-week series to a one-week scenario and a one-versus-two grand final on September 18, ending the season for the third and fourth-ranked teams.
Listen to the latest episode of our weekly podcast The Main Break:
The league is now counting on restrictions easing further next week for there to be any play and to crown its premiers.
If the grand finals are unable to proceed no medals or cup will be awarded with the top teams in all grades awarded minor premiership flags.
Panmure mentor Chris Bant said it was disappointing but knew it was a possibility for some time.
"It's better now we at least know as it has been up in the air for so long," he said.
"I've still been encouraging them (the playing group) to keep training individually, get hands on the ball and stuff like that but deep down it felt like a bit of a waste of time.
"Now it's like that weight has been lifted off their shoulders."
Bant said he couldn't see a problem altering the plan to allow the Bulldogs and Tigers a chance.
"They could have push it back a week and traditionally I know they don't like playing on the same weekend as Hampden but there'll be no crowds," he said.
"If they pushed it back a week they could play the final the night before the AFL grand final like the Hampden league. I don't see why that would be an issue because there's no crowds (allowed)."
Merrivale's Josh Sobey said he was shattered the season was done but there was also a bigger picture to look at.
"It's mixed emotions. I am flat, disappointed and just shattered for footy inn general," he said.
"But in saying that there is a pandemic going on and there is people doing it tough with businesses and not being able to see friends and family so we have to put that into perspective.
"We have come this far and to be pushed out is certainly hard to take."
Merrivale netball coach Elisha Sobey said her side was shattered but there was nothing it could do.
"The situation is out of anyone's hands and they can only do what they can do," she said.
"Everyone is a little bit sick of the changes in momentum that have happened all season. It's hard when we've been shut down three or four times.
"We've done challenges in breaks to try keep it up but everyone is feeling defeated at the moment.
"We would love to have another crack (at back-to-back premierships) but it is it what its."
Elisha said her side was grateful to have played some games, spent time together and built connections on and off court.
Bulldogs open mentor Josie Ellerton said her side was disappointed but could see the writing was on the wall.
"It was inevitable, and we were hoping it wouldn't happen, but given the fact that in a final series you have players coming from every direction from multiple teams realistically it wasn't going to be a priority," she said.
"Also given the circumstances it wouldn't feel the same to front up and give it everything. The momentum and excitement of a finals series wouldn't have been there and it wouldn't have felt the same."
Elisha Sobey, Bant and Ellerton, who have all won premierships, said winning a flag this season would have felt hollow for a number of reasons like a lack of crowds and proper finals series.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark https://www.standard.net.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters.
- Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Tap here to open our Google News page.
- Join our Courts and Crime Facebook group and our dedicated Sport Facebook group.
- If you have subscribed, join our subscriber-only Facebook group.
- Subscribe
"Having no people roaring for everything it would make it feel so empty and the two premierships I have won have been insane," Sobey said.
"Not having that, I don't know how I would feel being in grand final like that.
"I feel for the teams that finished on top because who knows what will happen next year as a lot can change in six months."
Teams from Allansford (A reserve), Nirranda (A res, B grade), Russells Creek (B grade, 13 and under), Kolora-Noorat (17, 15 and under), Dennington (17 and under), Old Collegians (15 and under) and South Rovers (13 and under) also missed out on netball finals.
In the football it was the Warriors (reserves, under 18s), Creekers (under 15s), Lions (reserves), Timboon Demons (under 15s) and Merrivale (under 18s) to miss.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.