TOPIC:

There is a need for perhaps two threads, this is probably the sad one whereas the other is positive.

My wife will still not give up her hard copy paper and I flick through it to the sport and lo and behold Mark McGowan is now being attacked by media people, cannot call them journalists, abt the AFL lookout.

Whether you vote labour or not 99% of folk would have to agree our state government has got us through this period fairly well, perhaps abt 95% as an overall score. When you compare that to other places SA and NT are the only other places that come close. Victoria still have an infection rate per capita that rates up with the to and froms and septics.

I applaud our government for not bowing to the the whims of others and standing fast on decisions regarding opening up to flying in player and others from places who still have not and appear to be incapable of controlling their infection rates.

I laughed last night watching the Vic premier lauding how well they have done compared to (pregnant pause) other countries, yes better than Kenya, Uganda and Mali.

If we want football then make an effort to get the WAFL up and running, we can have 10 or 20 training groups and by next fortnight perhaps more.

Be thankful you live here and not elsewhere and be thankful you have a government that knew what to do and when and not operate on opinion and approval ratings.

I know that the knives will be out on here and that is cool I would do same if I disagreed!

Good call grump. I said it in another thread that as a Liberal voter, I would be happy to vote for McGowan. I do fear that if we can get to a stage where the WAFL can start, the AFL will act like a petulant child and say not till we start.

Agree 58, thats when we'll find out if the WAFC have any balls left at all to stand up for their state comp.

Well said Grump.

With the virus seemingly well controlled here in WA with the borders remaining closed to the other states and overseas we will all now be watching the WAFC to see their plan to get the WAFL up and running for 2020 with absolutely no input from VFL House who cant even get their own house in order!

I can't see the WAFL starting this year unless the state government, AFL or a sponsor underwrites it as it'll cost clubs about $150k each to put teams on the park and with no revenue from entrance money, bar sales etc don't think it'll happen until July when all restrictions around numbers are eased but can't see it before then.

A good OP there Grump.
I think a good opportunity exists for the 8 Wafl clubs if they choose to fire it up next month. Some good ideas have previously been put forward. A workable solution should be able to come from it. With the federal government saying stage 2 going to be relaxed in about 3 weeks time, and will be the states determining the local timing. WA being in a positive position. The state and regional borders will be the last to be lifted is a good thing. One would have thought with all the bloody crap coming out of victoria, let's see if the commission stands up and shows some Wafl leadership and support!! Something which has been sadly lacking in recent years!

As our premier said a few weeks ago, that the rule book has been thrown out the window. If the 8 Wafl clubs wish to crank up - do so. If the season is or needs extending - so what if is?
Has to be said, the very unusual circumstances we find ourselves in, I can appreciate others point of view about abandoning this season. Players need paying, services, catering and utilities don't come for free and all the Wafl clubs outgoing expenses need paying for. Going to be interesting to see what occurs at the next meeting of the Wafl clubs as to the course. Apparently a lot of players are eager to start.

Don't mean to get off topic.
Pardon the pun, is good to see the SANFL commission are on the ball. A good road to play roadmap they are following there. The Sanfl clubs start training (in small groups) on the 18th May and then will increase in the following weeks. Possibly a June start for the competition there.

A little off topic but worth a note - I was watching BBC news just now and at the end of may yep the end of may they are introducing self isolation for all, oops not all but most oops some overseas travelers, same as france and other european countries.

We wonder why we are ahead of other so called more advanced countries!

Sneakers presser today announced that starting Monday week the 19th, new relaxations of restrictions, upping to max 20 in a gathering, bars and restaurant can open with seating up to 20 plus the 4m2 rule, intrastate boundaries reduced to 4 zones, wheatbelt, southwest will combine with the metro area, non contact sporting activities can resume. Then 4 weeks after that, public swimming pools and playgrounds will re-open, contact sporting activities can resume, so thats when full contact training can resume and games can be played, the missing link will be how many can attend if any. State hard border will stay in place for the foreseeable until the eastern states get their shit together and have long term low or no infections. So some light at the end of the tunnel as long as we dont get overconfident. Hospitals are now geared up to cope with up to 600 cases at any one time if a second wave occurs, so it's a case of living with the virus and managing it until a vacs comes along.

McGowans a pain in the arse, he needs to get a move on and get people back to the WAFL , the whole things a joke in WA now, you cant have 1000s of people in parks and not let a 1000 or so sit in a WAFL ground.

Pull your finger sneakers out and get WAFL back ASAP.