DOUBTS still linger over the return of football in the Limestone Coast, despite the South Australian Premier announcing on Monday the rules of contact sport would be relaxed.
The SANFL responded, saying it welcomed the announcement, which would see contact training return from Monday, June 1.
Competition itself could return as soon as June 25, if the finer details can be ironed out.
SANFL chief executive officer Jake Parkinson congratulated South Australians for their efforts to help the state contain COVID-19, which allowed the government to bring forward the next stage of its roadmap to recovery.
“Over the past few weeks, we have seen our SANFL clubs and many community clubs and their passionate volunteers rise to the challenge of undertaking a safe return to training under strict guidelines and protocols,” Parkinson said.
“Now, with further easing of restrictions being brought forward, it looks like we will see footy back sooner than what we anticipated.”
However, Parkinson said SANFL is currently seeking clarification on the details regarding group contact training.
For the Limestone Coast big questions remain as to whether we can expect to see a return to play this season or not.
Will clubs be able to financially deal with a shortened season or if no crowds are allowed into venues?
Will border restrictions scuttle any chance of play in 2020?
Border restrictions are still in place and do not appear set to change any time soon.
That is a big road block for the three leagues in the Limestone Coast, specifically the Western Border and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara leagues, with teams in both leagues coming from Victoria.
South Australian police commissioner Grant Stevens said on Monday the border restrictions relied on what other states were doing regarding COVID-19 outbreaks and how they handled the situation.
With Victoria still experiencing outbreaks on a regular basis, the chance of the border restrictions easing are low.
The WBFL has stated clearly if Casterton Sandford cannot cross the border to play, there will be no competition this season.
The KNTFL is in a similar position and while the Mid South East Football League does not have a team based in Victoria, it does have Victorian participants in its competition.
Country football sees crowds sit in their cars, but also mingle at the bars, the canteen and generally around the ground.
Clubs rely on the income the crowds generate, not just through the gate, but at the other facilities and without them would struggle to run a season.
There has been no indication from the state government when those restrictions will be lifted.
Some leagues around the state – netball in particular – have already pulled the pin for 2020.
Those decisions have received mixed responses on social media, with many suggesting they were correct, but others saying they were made too early.
There is no right or wrong decision at the moment, with leagues making their decisions based on their particular situation.
With so much uncertainty surrounding sport, clubs and leagues have basically been left to weed their way through the lists of restrictions and protocols, which places plenty of pressure on them to ensure they are 100pc compliant.
It is not just a matter of going back to how things were pre-COVID if the game does return in 2020.
Clearly clubs need to know as soon as practical what will happen with crowds and border restrictions so they can plan the season ahead in a safe and timely manner.
The state government seems to be holding out as long as possible to ensure the health of the South Australian residents, but with no COVID-19 cases for some time recorded, patience is wearing thin.
Crunch time is fast approaching for all leagues in the region, but all three seem keen to run a competition in some form.
However, if and when we are given the go ahead regarding the final restrictions holding the competitions back, will it be too late?
Tentative dates are in place for the season to end late, but with no clear decision on crowds or border restrictions, even that may be too much of a stretch.
