The Eastern Football Netball League will continue its endeavour to provide maximum participation for all junior players in 2021, despite the chaos this season has provided.
The league has developed several options based on different Return to Play dates. These are of course dependent on the Victorian Government’s health guidelines.
Below is a table which outlines the options for the remainder of the junior season.
Return to Play August 22ndRTP
August 29thRTP
September 5thRTP
September 12thDateMatches PlayedMatches PlayedMatches PlayedMatches PlayedAugust 22Play-Offs August 29Play-OffsPlay-Offs September 5th Play-OffsGrand Finals (1v2) September 12th Grand Finals (1v2)
The ‘Play-Off’ structure will see a knockout top four system take place for the four highest ranked sides, with 1st playing 4th and 2nd playing 3rd, whilst the remaining sides will be fixtured against each other.
If we are to start in time for the ‘Play-Off’ structure to be used, all teams will be guaranteed two games – excluding divisions with an uneven number of sides.
If we cannot return before August 29th only Grand Finals – which will be between the top two ranked sides on the ladder – will be played, whilst in Non-Competitive age groups there will be no play after August 29th, regardless of the Return to Play date.
All fixtures will played as Home and Away games and there is no guarantee that the highest seeds will be the host club.