WESTERN United is keeping its fingers crossed that crowds will be allowed to return to the A-League in Victoria this week, with its stop-start season facing another test.
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Right now, the match against Macarthur Bulls is set to go ahead at 5.05pm on Saturday night at Mars Stadium, but concerns will remain in place until the state government officially gives the go-ahead for a return of crowds at venues.
It is hoped an announcement on Wednesday will release Victorians from the five-day lockdown which will allow for crowds at venues across the state and also for visitors from Melbourne and beyond to come to Ballarat for the A-League fixture.
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It's not the first time Western United have been left in a bind this season, with most recently its home match, which was scheduled for last weekend against Sydney FC, postponed until later in the season.
So far this season, the club has played just five matches, while some others in the A-League have already played eight.
The club's most recent match was a 3-2 away loss on February 7 to top side Central Coast Mariners, one of the teams that has already played eight matches.
"We are planning for the game scheduled for this Saturday, February 20, against the Macarthur Bulls in Ballarat to go ahead and eagerly await if the Victorian COVID-19 lockdown measures are eased on Wednesday," a club spokesperson told The Courier on Tuesday.
"The club will continue to follow government health advice and will know more in the coming days."
The club has been able to secure a pass to allow it to train.
"Our A-League team can continue to train via an exemption under the essential worker classification and are working hard to be ready for our upcoming fixtures," the spokesperson said.
