TOPIC:

Just wondering how people/ clubs feel about returning to footy now that is June.

No doubt all clubs would be looking at financial losses both this year and next year as well. Sponsorship commitments would mostly be in doubt For all clubs. To play now would put more financial pressure on as well, even with bar trade.

I think most clubs would be weakened in player stocks, and I can see some clubs not playing at all as they just won’t have the time to get the players up. Normally at this time of the years clubs are ringing old players and mates to make up the numbers in the colts and lower grades. I can’t see the E grades evening happening as I would assume that most clubs would drop one senior side at least.

I know it has not been decided yet, but Being involved for a long time, I would struggle to accept that clubs could be elevated and demoted on a 9 game season. It’s not deserved in my view, especially with clubs not being at full strength with covid 19. Would the flag mean much this season? I don’t think so.

At the same time, if we are not playing for points, then what’s the point of playing this year.

It’s a bit of a head buster, what do other people think?

Any season is better then no season.

Promotion should be Premier only and 10th place.

We need to play for something. Plus to say its a cheapened flag isn't right and I would certainly beg to differ. This is the hardest time to be operating anything at the moment so to get teams on the park and win a flag would be a massive effort!

There are too many short sighted people hovering around this league which is really disappointing considering we have had so much of our lives disrupted and normal day privileges taken away. Stop looking at the negatives and lets do everything we can to get things moving in the right direction.

If you don't want to play or it's too hard then don't play, just don't expect everyone to follow suit.

nothing better than steve smith on the front foot!!
all teams in every league are playing for something.. at the end of the day a flag is a flag - ask any club/team/player who 'won' one at the back end of the 19/20 cricket season when finals couldnt be completed. medals still go around necks and flags on walls and most importantly lifetimes of memories

I think promotion will need to happen because if some clubs don't play this year, they could be sliding towards natural death in the coming years.

I fear for clubs that don't have big numbers. if they cant get everyone back this year, then guys that are old and have been out for a year will not come back, which means that if those clubs struggle this year they could be in more hurt next year. Clubs that don't have a strong colts culture could also be in trouble in years to come.

To me it needs to be normal season rules which include a flag and promotion and relegation at the end of it all. if that means a club is unlucky to go down then they should bounce back quickly, and the bonus will be that if they go to a lower grade they may get some success before they bounce back.

Agree that a season should proceed if possible but it shouldn't proceed at any cost.

Most clubs operate at or just above break even each year. Some of the more financial clubs report a 10%-15% profit which in real terms is still a relatively small amount of money.

Club revenue via sponsorship, player fees, social events and food and beverage sales have and will be impacted significantly. Costs will also be reduced but it wont be proportionate to the reduced income. A number of clubs will post big financial losses this year if the season goes ahead.

The big question for clubs is if they play a half 2020 season, how much of a loss can they absorb this year and what impact will it have on their financial position for the 2021 season and beyond.

Do you play a half season and face the possibility of not being able to fund a 2021 season?

Some great responses boys!

Initially I was against any suggestion that we should still play out a shortened 2020 season. However quite clearly in WA we have sufficiently mitigated the risk and I think now, particularly with our international borders closed, we can safely resume.

I do not agree that any flag won in 2020 is any less deserving. If you can rally the troops and get numbers on the field then all glory to you if you succeed.

However we cannot have a promotion & relegation system. A good number of the players have probably lost their jobs and have had to take Fly in Fly out work in the interim. So don't penalise an individual club because of Covid-19 circumstances out of their control.

If any team in any grade wants to "sit out" 2020, then they should be allowed to do so and return to their "original 2020 grading in 2021, if that is their choice.

I would rather play 6 teams twice in an even competition than 10 teams once, where sides are clearly struggling for numbers.

Just reboot for 2021 based on those that can do with no stigma or penalty for taking the choice.

Hawk eye,
Some good points. However MOST DEFINITELY promotion/relegation should apply.

Coming from a club that has had to deal with adverse circumstances (Through no fault of their own) and endure.I can say wholeheartly state a club that can demonstrate its resilience and achieve success in 2020 deserves full recognition

Great post Hawk Eye.

Promotion/ Relegation would be totally unfair given the circumstances in 2020.

UHT,
Fair call!

But to be the "Devils Advocate" it's a bit unfair A grade clubs being factored into % of those that agree/disagree.
They having nothing to gain and everything lose!

Just my thoughts....

I think to say that the flag this year in all grades has an asterix next to it is wrong. The losers of any comp can say that but I guarantee the winners of each grade will think its a flag and the loser of the last game in the year will feel just as bad. Promotion and Relegation is a sticky subject but can't say i agree. The interesting one will be if any of the teams in say the top 4 grades don't enter a team. Also what will happen to the D and E Grade competitions. It's an interesting year and I wish everyone luck for the year.