Canberra Region Rugby League has pledged to go ahead with a finals series before the end of September if possible.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
![CRRL calls off rounds games, aims for finals in September CRRL calls off rounds games, aims for finals in September](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ijfQKXbsEKgSKGW5xB5NiF/824a1f4c-ed24-43a3-868e-3be0c3e69204.jpg/r0_0_3000_1687_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Following a meeting on Wednesday which featured representatives from all senior and junior clubs, CRRL general manager, Mark Vergano, released a statement on Thursday in which he said that the organisation had decided to end the competitions as they stand currently, and will look to progress with finals once Canberra's lockdown ends on September 2.
Also read:
"The CRRL has as its stated aim, based on the current potential for the lifting of lockdowns in the ACT from September 2, that it will try and complete a finals series with Grand Final, even if that series is truncated, before the end of September," Vergano said.
"Therefore, the CRRL committee has decided that the regular season matches are now completed and the competition will move into a finals series (if possible)."
The decision to stop the competitions early was "extremely difficult", Vergano said, as the CRRL's aim is "to always try and play as much rugby league as possible for our participants".
Prior to the commencement of a finals series, there will likely be a week-long training period which will hopefully allow the players to shake off any rust.
The CRRL also confirmed it has begun discussions with ACT Sportsgrounds and other sports to explore the possibility of extending its season by a week.
As there are a number of teams in CRRL competitions based in NSW, namely the Goulburn Bulldogs, Yass Magpies, Queanbeyan Roos and Queanbeyan Blues in the Canberra Raiders Cup competitions, along with the majority of the George Tooke teams, the CRRL will have to navigate both the ACT and NSW governments' respective health regulations and lockdowns.
To this end, Vergano confirmed that the committee would have another meeting next week to provide the CRRL community with an update and stay abreast of the most current health advice.
The CRRL's announcement confirms what the Goulburn Bulldogs had suspected from the beginning of the ACT lockdowns: that their First Grade side will miss out on finals, but hope remains for the Katrina Fanning Shield, Under 19s, and League Tag sides.
Should Canberra emerge from its lockdown as scheduled on September 2, further details about a potential finals series will be released by the CRRL.
While you're with us...
Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up here.