Local football and cricket season dates confirmed

AFL Victoria and Cricket Victoria have reached an agreement on the prospective season lengths for both sports.

The two sporting bodies have agreed the final fixture of senior football will be held no later than October 18, and the final fixture of junior football no later than October 11.

The regular home and away season for both leagues is set to finish by September 27.

This permits senior men’s and women’s cricket to begin as soon as October 10, with junior cricket then beginning on October 16.

Cricket Victoria chief executive officer Andrew Ingleton said he was pleased with the balance between sports.

“This delivers a fair outcome for both cricket and football to conduct our seasons as close to normal as we can in the current landscape.

“We understand our respective communities and our partners in state and local government are looking for clear direction on upcoming seasons and this agreement provides that.”

AFL Victoria head of community football Stephen O’Donohue said he was hopeful they could soon announce a starting date for the season.

“We will continue to consult closely with the state government and relevant medical authorities, and if a further easing of restrictions is to occur, we now have the flexibility that provides local football leagues with an opportunity to hopefully get games away in the coming months.”

However, the agreed timeframe presents the challenge of turf wickets being prepared in time for the cricket season.

Most grounds need a three to four week break between football and cricket season to safely prepare wickets.

AFL Victoria and Cricket Victoria have subsequently agreed that if a turf competition is unable to begin before November 1, they will compete until as late as April 25, 2021.