COVID-19

[Lightning McQueen]

Friday night prelim's too!

[Executive Member]

Well there it is, top 4, two week final series.

1v4
2v3

Winners play-off the following week.

you forgot the *subject to covid lockdowns

[Lightning McQueen]

Well there it is, top 4, two week final series.

1v4
2v3

Winners play-off the following week.

you forgot the *subject to covid lockdowns

I guess I read it too quickly or didn't understand it fully?

FINALS STRUCTURES



The League Executive convened Monday the 9th August for a scheduled Executive Committee Meeting.

A significant Agenda Item was assessing the current risks to not only the competition itself but financial performance, community engagement and player participation as we close out the season.

As previously flagged for all to consider, The League has other stakeholders to negotiate with including SA Health and COVID Management Plans - (Yet to be approved), Councils, SAPOL, SACA, (Adelaide Turf, Northern Areas Cricket Association) and general ground availability.

However, our most recent collaboration with SA Health has left us both clear and without many options to extend any season even if that was a priority. Before there is a question as to priority, let me answer it. We are making a very conscious effort to find a balance between what we are able to deliver and not risking the League’s Financial performance which is ultimately taken on behalf of 67 Clubs not just those participating in finals. This being undertaken all the while navigating the great unknown of further COVID Lockdowns to which even SA Health cannot or will not offer advice outside of suggesting a conservative and cautious approach to which we are adhering.



Key Resolutions

- As per an agreement with SA Health, all men’s Finals will be hosted at Gated venues with pre-existing COVID Management Plans.

o The League is in the process of negotiating the use of SANFL venues and AdFL Venues with pre-approved COVID Management Plans.

- The finals structure will be a Top 4 over 2 weekends in the format listed below.

o Preliminary Finals on Friday Night the 3rd September, Saturday, the 4th and then Grand Finals the following Saturday, the 11th (18th Division 1).

o C Grade Preliminary Finals Matches may be played on Saturday and non-gated grounds due to crowd numbers expected to be well below 1000 at any one point.

o McIntyre Top 4 (2 Weeks)

2 Preliminary Final

Grand Final

1 2 v 3 PF1

W2 v W1

1 v 4 PF2


- Division 1 has another layer to consider.

o The League is committed to facilitating a complete 18 round competition. But as previously suggested, should the balance of the split round prove to be Dead Rubbers, Division 1 will also transition straight into their finals series and line up with the rest of the competition i.e. Complete on the 11th rather than 18th.

o Whilst that determination will be Division 1 centric, if the Division 1Reserves and or C1 Competition needs further consideration, we will assume a W/L Ratio to determine final placings as any other uneven competition of any code might.



Broadly speaking, the subject of a top 3 or top 4 was debated extensively.

The issue of reward for double chances at least for the minor premier was at the forefront of any discussion. That is, one suggestion or question was that in the absence of a double chance, should the minor premier be rewarded with entry straight into the Grand Final.

However the counter argument to that was it does not sit well with the League Executive as a collective that we are already forced into denying the 5th placed teams a spot in finals participation and that another layer of participation should not be affected too. i.e. 21 Minor Premiers of their respective competitions with entry Versus providing a match of finals football for 460 players when 460 have already been shelved.

But it became about more than just the game itself. The League Executive and I believe football plays a role at every level being Club Member (community) engagement as well as volunteers who have also worked hard to participate and enjoy some reward after what has been a seriously tough 18 months for everyone.



Unfortunately, it is prudent to advise that whilst we have taken this position, we are also subject to change and remain prepared for that to unfold.

[whufc]

Surprised they didn't try and go with the top 4 over 3 weeks system but I guess with a 2 week system if things go wrong they potentially could still get games completed.

[Brodlach]

Three weeks takes it to AFL Grand Final day

[Executive Member]

Surprised they didn't try and go with the top 4 over 3 weeks system but I guess with a 2 week system if things go wrong they potentially could still get games completed.

if it was 3 weeks there would've been a final 5
its a matter of get in and get out as quick as you can

[whufc]

Three weeks takes it to AFL Grand Final day

Imagine winning a Friday Night GF the day before the AFL grand final, the post game celebrations and days to come would be massive.

It makes sense why the Ammo League made the decision they did. Whatever they did wasn't going to appease everyone and if your good enough you will still win the flag.

[bandar]

Haven't seen it anywhere was there consideration to changing promotion. Top side goes up just in case they happen to have one bad day?

[scottroo]

Three weeks takes it to the weekend before afl gf

[The Bedge]

Can understand the caution and need for 2 week finals - only takes another bout of COVID cases and the whole season will be done. Imagine being the poor GF sides who miss out on playing if it hit after the 11th.

Old mate Spurrier keeps telling us to get ready coz it's coming.

[Dutchy]

How would that work? Top 5 to be a hybrid finals and trimmed back to 3 weeks.

I hope it would be top 5 - would be guttered if it's a top 4 finals series

Week 1 - Semi Finals
(a). 2 v 3 (SF2)
(b). 4 v 5 (SF1)

Week 2 - Preliminary Finals
(c). 1 v Loser SF2 (a)
(d). Winner SF1 (b) vs Winner SF2 (a)

Week 3 - Grand Final
Winner (c) vs (d)

Bit late to the party here but this is the format that HFL Div 2 played last year, Ironbank finished undefeated top and didn't get a double chance -

https://websites.mygameday.app/comp_inf ... &pool=1001

[Down the Hill]

It is what it is gents. In a normal final 5 or final 4 the Minor Premier can only lose their first final to the 2nd or 3rd team and more often than not will play the 2nd or 3rd team in the Prelim to make the GF.

Many would take the chance of having one crack to make the GF vs the 4th placed team. If you can't beat the 4th placed team then maybe you would have gone out in straight sets in a normal finals series anyway. Therefore it is arguably a more bitter pill to swallow for the 2nd team with the finals structure that is now in place.

[scottroo]

It’s equality is on a division by division account

Div 6 where Elizabeth are top would be a raging hot favourites to beat 4th who are lagging well behind

In division 5 where the top 4 are so even, each final truly is a 50/50 match

[big-whopper]

When will the medal counts be held this year?

[The Bedge]

When will the medal counts be held this year?

Usually they go online 2nd week of finals? So i'm gonna say around Wednesday, 8 September.

[Hector]

Three weeks takes it to the weekend before afl gf

Div 1 played a week after the rest which would be AFL GF

[JesseWhite]

Friday Night GF before the AFL on the Saturday would be one hell of a weekend!

[DOC]

As I understand it, finals format will be

Final four.

Sep 4
1v4 and 2v3. Winners to GF losers out

Sep 11 Grand Finals.

Where have you heard that? Would be surprised if it went that way...

CIBO on The Parade.

[Fools Gold]

So do any clubs actually have a COVID Management Plan? I was under the impression that it was only AFL/SANFL venues that had them in concrete. Hope I'm wrong though!

[Pag]

So do any clubs actually have a COVID Management Plan? I was under the impression that it was only AFL/SANFL venues that had them in concrete. Hope I'm wrong though!

Thebarton would obviously have one. Maybe Kenilworth?