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Goulburn Valley League - Which clubs are hit hardest by the absence of metropolitan residents?

Aug 12, 2021

Goulburn Valley League action returns on Saturday with footballers and netballers across the region getting back into the swing of things after yet another lockdown-enforced stint on the sidelines.

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But along with the absence of spectators this weekend, lingering lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne will mean any club members who are residents of those areas will not be able to travel to or participate in this round's games.

The News chatted to all 12 clubs to get a sense of how hard they would be hit by the restrictions and how it might affect their ability to field sides in all grades of football and netball this round.

The general consensus across the board was that most clubs have 5-10 players unavailable across the grades — but some have significantly more than that and others have been lucky and will have almost their full lists at their disposal.

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BENALLA

The Saints will head into a crucial senior football contest against Tatura without the likes of Will Martiniello, Sam Martyn and David Mennen.

“We'll be without three players I think,” coach Jake Pallpratt said.

“We'll give a few boys a crack out of the reserves or thirds and hope they go well and (with a few other injuries) we hope we can still field a twos side.

“It is what it is and everyone is in the same boat.

“We're probably middle of the range in terms of the effects of it on us, but I'm not sure how some of these other sides are going to field a reserves team this weekend.”

On the netball court, the Saints will miss about three players across the grades — including defensive pillar Chloe Hill in A-grade.

ECHUCA

Murray Bombers president Ash Byrne did not mince words when assessing the situation ahead of the weekend.

“I reckon it's an absolute disgrace that AFL Victoria has not communicated directly with all leagues and all clubs ahead of games this weekend,” he said.

“It's an atrocious display from our governing body.

“The amount of time clubs and volunteers have had to put in to decipher all of the restrictions and rules for this weekend is an absolute disgrace.

“They only care about how many people are watching league footy and they've forgotten where those league footballers come from.

“It's nothing short of disgraceful.”

The Murray Bombers will be missing “about half-a-dozen footballers and two-to-three netballers” this weekend.

EUROA

The Magpies look to be the most-affected club as a whole in the competition.

A-grade coach Ellie Warnock is a metropolitan resident herself and spoke of the tough situation her side was in this weekend.

“(It's a) huge challenge we are facing this weekend, we unfortunately only have just two A-grade netballers that are able to play, whilst the rest of us are Melbourne-based,” Warnock said.

“(That is) including myself, therefore we have Emma Clignett stepping in to coach A and B-grade.

“Of course this results in a domino effect and the rest of our senior group falls short to help out in A-grade.

“It’s quite disheartening for the girls as we believe we were an extremely strong chance to play finals — however, with only two players due to the metro lockdown this could be the reason we don’t make the top six.

“I do believe in our girls and although it is a challenge ahead of us, I still believe they will be competitive this coming weekend.

“It's quite devastating as no matter the end result, it's not a true reflection of our side this season.”

The senior footballers are also in a tight spot for their clash against Mansfield.

“This weekend we’re very keen to get back out there, but at the same time it is very challenging for us,” coach Scott Rowan said.

“We are looking at around nine out at the moment with the lockdown in Melbourne.

“But I think the league has done a good job in getting us back playing and hopefully it will return to normal next week.”

KYABRAM

A trio of Kyabram netballers across the grades will be unavailable this weekend, while at least seven footballers will also be missing.

Lachie Smith, Jason Morgan, Zac Keogh, Kayne Pettifer, Nick Coulstock, Reid Crowe and Jarryd Pertzel are Melbourne-based.

Kyabram president Peter Learmonth said during the week the Bombers would struggle to field a reserves side if the metro lockdown was not lifted.

“We just wouldn’t have the numbers,” Learmonth said.

MANSFIELD

The Eagles — similar to their opponent this weekend Euroa — will be missing almost 10 footballers for Saturday's game.

“We are pretty heavily affected with the Melbourne lockdown — we'll be missing around nine players for this weekend,” coach Chad Owens said.

“There is a lot of quality missing in our line up because of this.”

MOOROOPNA

The Cats have four footballers out due to the restrictions.

“The last thing we want is a car load travelling up from Melbourne, play on the Saturday, then be told next week that they and everyone else needs to self isolate because they have been to an exposure site,” Mooroopna coach John Lamont said.

“It's really unfortunate, but it's bigger than winning a game of footy.”

None of the club's netballers are Melbourne-based, leaving the Cats at full strength on the courts.

ROCHESTER

The Tigers are in a better position than most, with no netballers affected and less than a handful of footballers set to miss the action on Saturday.

“We are really lucky that we aren't affected,” A-grade coach Linda Rasmussen said.

“The girls who study at university have all been back home studying online.”

Recruits Lachie and Jordan Harper and Logan Austin are among the footballers sitting out.

“We have got three boys missing, as well as our two VFL boys, but they wouldn't have been available for us regardless,” coach Steven Stroobants said.

SEYMOUR

Seymour would usually have more than the three outs due to the metropolitan restrictions, but a long injury list makes the lockdown irrelevant for some in its squad.

“We only have three guys from our Mansfield game that can't come up,” coach Ben Davey said.

“If you take into account our injured players then the number would be a lot higher.

“Our club has told our footballers and netballers you can't come up and play if you have been in Melbourne.”

On the court it will be bare-minimum numbers for the Lions.

“(There will be) skinny numbers in all seniors — starting seven and bench players from lower grades,” A-grade coach Ronni Hager said.

“But (it provides) opportunities for younger players and keeps the season alive.”

SHEPPARTON

The Bears have only “a couple” of footballers who are based in Melbourne and there will be at least two netballers missing due to the restrictions as well.

“We have two local girls that now live down in Melbourne and come back to play,” A-grade coach Tracey Brereton said.

“We are already struggling with injuries, bereavement and now this with the metro players.

“Across the club we will struggle to fill all teams and injuries are really concerning me since we have not played for six or seven weeks.”

SHEPPARTON SWANS

None of the Swans’ A-grade netballers will be missing on Saturday, while three footballers will be out of action.

Michael Cooke, Jesse Finnen and Luke Whyte are the metro-based trio.

SHEPPARTON UNITED

Shepparton United's netball grades will also head into this weekend at full strength, while two key pillars of the senior football side — Shane Neaves and Brock McLean — will miss the clash against Kyabram.

TATURA

A pair of Bulldogs footballers will be sidelined on Saturday.

“We've got two Melbourne blokes who won't be able to play, Tom Sullivan and Chaz Sargeant,” Tatura coach Paul Kirby said.

“It's a pretty big hole for us to be honest, Tom's been playing really well and Chaz kicked seven goals over his past couple of games.”

Tatura has been hit harder on the court, with the entire A-grade defensive end out of action and eight players in total across the senior group unable to play.

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