Junior football season to begin

AFTER much waiting and uncertainty, the AFL Barwon junior season is set to begin, with the first games taking place this evening (Friday, July 17).

A Torquay derby will start proceedings in the Under 10 division, with Torquay Coleman and Surf Coast Suns Bolts competing at Greenville Oval at 5:40pm.

In the Under 11 Division, Surf Coast Suns Deadly will face Torquay Coles at Polwarth Oval at 6:30pm, and Torquay Ashley will play Suf Coast Suns Flyers at Greenville Oval at 7:30pm.

There will also be some matches played in the Bellarine tonight.

In the Under 11 Division, OGC Moroney will play Barwon Heads Gulls at Collendina Oval at 6:00pm.

Then in the Under 10 Division, Leopold Dahlhaus face Portarlington at Leopold Community Bank Oval at 6:15pm.

AFL Victoria has laid out various protocols for players, staff and spectators to following at the matches in order to limit the risk of the coronavirus spreading.

This includes anybody who is unwell to stay home, even if symptoms are only minor.

Spectators will be limited to those “necessary to support participation”. They are encouraged to stay in their cars and are required to keep 1.5 metres away from anyone not from the same household at all times.

Players should not high five, shake hands, or spit. There is to be no pushing or bumping for Under 9 and Under 10 male, as well as under 10 and 12 female teams.

At the end of the game, everyone is asked to promptly leave the ground.

For the full list of Return to Play protocols, head to aflvic.com.au/return-to-play/.’

To see the full fixture list head to https://bit.ly/30ng440.