Queanbeyan is willing to wait as long as necessary if it means defending its AFL Canberra premiership on the field, but coach Adrian Pavese concedes time is fast running out to salvage the season.
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AFL Canberra clubs met before Canberra's lockdown was extended to September 17, and agreed to play a two-week modified finals series if it meant resolving the season before summer.
The reworked playoffs would pit the ladder-leading Tigers against fourth-placed Ainslie, and Belconnen against Eastlake, with the winning clubs advancing straight to a decider.
It would require a three-week block, including an initial training week to allow players a chance to reclaim some fitness.
But Canberra's record 32 COVID cases announced on Saturday puts the plan in serious jeopardy, and another lockdown extension would likely force the league to abandon its senior and junior competitions. Clubs are set to meet again next week.
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"We don't want to put anyone's safety in jeopardy and all that sort of stuff but if it's feasible to do it, let's do it," Pavese said.
"I think of the players that have done ACLs and been injured and made those sacrifices. What's it all for if we don't get a season done.
"In the end it's the health and safety of the community. We've even spoken at our club, even if we don't play in front of crowds, we've been there and done that, it's not as if this is new."
Further complicating the issue is the ACT-NSW divide, which leaves the league at the mercy of health regulations across the border.
About 60 per cent of Queanbeyan's top-grade side lives in Canberra.
"All our players both men and women and out under-18s have got [home training] programs," Pavese said.
"That's all you can do, it's the only way you can get out at the moment."
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
