BFNL heads to post-season early

ACTION in the Bendigo Football Netball League will jump straight to finals following the completion of this weekend’s round eighteen.

After mid-season COVID related disruptions, league management had planned to hold missed round 11 games on 28 August.

That’s now been abandoned and all football and netball comps will move into the post-season on the last Saturday of the month.

“The finals series will be condensed to a three-week ‘top 6’ model for all football and netball grades of competition, increasing flexibility to absorb any further season interruption to a final’s series,” a statement from the league said.

“Barring further season interruption, all BFNL grand finals will be scheduled for the weekend of the 11th or 12th of September.”

The decision to call time on the regular season early means the makeup of the BFL seniors’ finals have been decided, with Strathfieldsaye, Golden Square, Sandhurst, Gisborne, South Bendigo and Eaglehawk all confirmed.

In the A Grade netball Strathfieldsaye and Kyneton hold down sixth and seventh on the ladder respectively, a game behind Eaglehawk in fifth.

The statement from the league said management’s focus was on getting a result out of a tumultuous year.

“The 2021 season has presented many significant challenges for clubs and leagues alike, and the BFNL board remain intent on completing not only a regular season for those currently able to participate, but also to provide the league and clubs the best opportunity possible to commence and complete a successful 2021 finals series,” the statement said.

“Unfortunately, the current Victorian settings prevent our metropolitan members from participating and spectators from attending, however the league sincerely hopes this position improves in the coming weeks given crowds are critical to community sport.”