HAMILTON Kangaroos' under 16 grand final team had just finished a training session on Thursday afternoon when it found out its premiership quest was over.
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Hampden Football Netball League executive confirmed its junior grand finals would not be played in 2021 due to time restraints associated with the state government's coronavirus roadmap.
The league was hopeful of playing its under 14 and under 16 football, as well as 13 and under reserve and 15 and under reserve netball, deciders by October 3 after the competition was sidelined 48 hours out from the original grand final date in mid-August.
But under the state government roadmap, released this past Sunday, community sport is restricted to training until at least November.
Competition will be permitted when 80 per cent of the state's residents aged 16-plus are fully vaccinated, which is tipped to be November 5.
Hamilton Kangaroos coach Bernie Porter said the decision to cancel the grand finals was inevitable in the circumstances.
He oversaw a 2pm training run at Melville Oval on Thursday afternoon. Twenty keen players took part despite it being school holidays.
"We were just finishing off a training session when we got the word through," Porter said.
"I told the boys and, as you could imagine, they were a bit upset. They were still keen to go but I think common sense has prevailed in the end.
"It was getting too far. It's been over a month since they've played."
Porter, who is locked in as coach for next season, said he would've been content with the decision being made a fortnight ago.
"I probably thought they (the league) should've made a call and just said 'if it doesn't happen before the AFL, we're done'," he said.
"You go after the AFL grand final and the kids may lose a bit of interest. I think it is a full stop on a season, the AFL."
He conceded it was hard to finish without a result.
"Win or lose it's the end of a season," Porter said.
"Now they will be a bit empty and think 'what if'? But it had to happen and we'll take it on the chin and move on."
Porter said he was pleased with his players' output and positivity during an interrupted season.
"Over the summer I might call a training here or there or a fitness thing," he said.
"I love it as much as they do. It is just to keep them interested and fit at the same time."
No junior premierships will be awarded for the 2021 season.
Hampden league media liaison officer Troy Logan thanked all member clubs, volunteers, umpires, players and parents for their collaboration throughout a "challenging" season.
It also thanked and acknowledged all its sponsors.
"The HFNL acknowledges the challenging circumstances the entire HFNL community has faced, not just this season but since the pandemic began 18 months ago," it wrote.
"We acknowledge this is not the outcome for our Sunday competitions that the entire HFNL community had hoped for.
"Especially given we were less than 48 hours from the junior grand finals when we were informed that regional Victoria would be going back into lockdown on the evening of Friday, August 20.
"We wish to make note of the significant efforts of many different people to facilitate matches throughout 2021 when restrictions have allowed.
"We hope that 2022 will bring more regularity and normalcy, particularly for our juniors."
Hampden league cancel its Saturday final series, which included senior competitions, earlier this month.
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