All eight finalists remain, provided the leagues don't lose another three weekends.

From now, if three or more are abandoned, then the early season plan implemented by the leagues would be brought in again.

If a third week is lost, the top eight becomes a top six, if four weeks are lost, a top four, and so on, up until Sunday, October 3, the latest date the leagues would fixture the big day.

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A glass half full mindset could see a road to a September 25 grand final, provided lockdown is ended on September 2 like has been outlined by the state government, and the finals series can start on September 4.

This would clash with the AFL grand final, something the leagues have not discussed, but a clash they may need to address if more weekends are lost.

"The board haven't talked about that, that's the only thing we haven't really spoken about," CHFL manager Diane Ryan told The Courier.

Regional Victoria has been let out of lockdown before metropolitan Melbourne previously, so another level of positivity could see that the finals series could even kick-off earlier than that, potentially this weekend if cases settle in regional Victoria.

That could set up a September 18 grand final day.

One aspect of returning to play the Central Highlands football and netball leagues have in their favour is that they have not missed consecutive weekends yet.

Under AFL Victoria guidelines, if one to three consecutive rounds are abandoned, then the season may re-commence at the next scheduled round at the discretion of the league.

In that instance, Ryan said the the CHFL would return as soon as is allowed, even if lockdown ends late in the week and teams are unable to get a week of training in.

Once four to six consecutive rounds are abandoned, clubs must be given a minimum seven-day training period before the re-commencement of play, at the discretion of the league.

CHFL president Doug Hobson thanked the clubs for their efforts all season.

"We're extremely proud of what the clubs have done to get to this point of the year," he said.

"We'd be really happy if we were able to get there and get some closure and finality, but it's all to be discussed.

"Daily we just watch our case numbers and with that gives us an idea of where we may or may not be."

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