AFL Victoria released a statement on Thursday stating all community football matches, training and Auskick must not take place in Victoria during this time, as per state government restrictions.
The governing body has established a framework with recommendations for leagues to consider regarding various scenarios for competitions interrupted by the pandemic.
Leagues under the AFL Goulburn Murray umbrella were quick to get on the front foot and announce their plans of attack for the round of games.
The Goulburn Valley League's scheduled round eight matches have been postponed and clubs have been advised that no training sessions, meetings, social gatherings and face-to-face education sessions can take place during the lockdown period.
“We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation daily, with any updates to be communicated to all key stakeholders as they become available,” GVL operations manager Josephine Spencer said.
“This is a rapidly evolving and ever-changing situation and maintaining strong lines of communications with our clubs, stakeholders and the general wider community is going tobe key in coming weeks and months.”
Although league chairman David Roff was disheartened to not have games played this weekend, he hoped for a quick return to action.
“While everyone has enjoyed the return football and netball, we are disappointed we will not play scheduled games this weekend as planned,” Roff said.
“We understand that by following the recommendations of the state government we will be doing all we can to ensure the health and safety of everyone within our communities.
“We can then hopefully get back to playing the games we love, albeit a little later than planned.”
● The Northern Country Women's League was scheduled to host preliminary finals and its presentation night on Sunday.
A rescheduled date has not been announced yet.
“What this means for the NCWL finals series is still being determined and this will be communicated as soon as possible,” a post to the NCWL Facebook page read.
● Meanwhile, Picola District Football Netball League said all of this weekend's planned round nine football and netball matches would be postponed for seven days.
In a statement, the league said the fixture had been adjusted to accommodate the lockdown.
Round 10-13 will be postponed by seven days, with round 13 to now be played on July 3 — on what was scheduled as a general bye.
The league said it would “continue to undertake planning” if the lockdown was extended.
● The Murray and Kyabram District leagues announced their respective executive committees would meet in the coming days to discuss any alterations to the season fixture.
A general bye will now take place this weekend in the Murray league.
And all round eight matches in the KDL will be rescheduled for a later date.
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