Central Highlands football and netball leagues face the possibility of cutting their finals series back to one week - restricted to the top two teams playing off in a grand final.
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The State Government on Wednesday gave the green light for community sport to resume training from Friday.
However, while no firm date has been given for a resumption of competition at any level, Premier Dan Andrews indicated there was unlikely to be any further easing of COVID-19 restrictions before the end of the month.
This would mean that winter-based competitions such as the CHFL, CHNL, BFNL juniors and BFLW juniors, and Ballarat District Soccer Association - all which have been in holding patterns owing to COVID-19 restrictions - will at the earliest not be able to resume before the first weekend in October.
Under a modified finals series plan adopted by the CHFL and CHNL, this will leave only time for grand final day on Saturday, October 2 or Sunday, October 3 - ending the season for all but the teams which finished first and second in all grades.
CHFL manager Diane Ryan said as it stood this was the last remaining option for a premiership to be determined.
She expressed her disappointment in a letter to all clubs on Wednesday.
"Unfortunately the restrictions issued today are said to remain in place for the remainder of this month, which is not good news for our finals series.
"So unless things change, we are looking at playing a grand final on the first weekend of October if that is allowed.
"At this stage AFL Victoria is yet to issue a statement. This is most likely to be made on Thursday.
"If by chance regional areas are allowed to commence competition this month, I will get an updated spread sheet out to you for the match formats."
The state government advice on community sport states: "permitted outdoor training only with the minimum number required to train.
Spectators are prohibited, except one parent permitted to supervise children.