After weeks of speculation about how much of the season will take place following the conclusion of the statewide lockdown, the Southern Tablelands Football Association has provided local teams with an answer: just finals.
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Though STFA director of football, Craig Norris, said in recent weeks that the committee hoped to complete the regular season, that possibility was ruled out by the recent extension of the NSW lockdown.
"It's not ideal, there's a couple of teams that had an easier back-end of the draw that would have seen them storm home," Norris said.
"It would have made third and fourth a very contested position. But we're comfortable with it because who knows, we might not get back on the field until mid-October.
"We just have to be ready."
The decision to proceed straight into the finals was made by the STFA following consultation with all of the member clubs.
A specific date has not been set for a return to the field, but the STFA confirmed that all finals series will be shortened to two weeks, following two weeks of training and a warm-up game.
"You get a friendly on the Saturday, so everyone can get out on the field and get a bit of match practice before the semi the following week," Norris said.
"We're working on a three-week plan, but only two weeks of it will matter, the first will be a warm-up round."
To this end, the semi-finals will pit the first versus fourth and second versus third-placed teams, with the winners to go straight through to the grand finals.
As usual, the competitions will be split into Division One and Division Two for the finals. This will be decided based on ladders as they stood after the last completed round.
Norris also confirmed that the goal is to have some Gala Days for the Mini Roos in order the get the non-competitive children's grades back on the pitch again.
"We're going to do at least one Gala Day for them, if not two depending on when we get back out there," Norris said.
"The kids will get back out here and have a couple of games as well before we wrap it up, so they can finish off their season. We can do the presentations and team photos."
Further information about the finals series will be announced as it becomes available.
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