TURVEY Park coach Mark Carroll believes most clubs would "breathe a sigh of relief" if AFL Riverina pulls the pin on the season at a meeting on Monday night.
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After the Farrer League was called off last week a combined season with Riverina League teams has been mooted, but Carroll feels the football community has a "duty of care" not to take the risk after coronavirus cases were reported in Albury and Canberra last week.
The Bulldogs played Charles Sturt University in a trial on Saturday, which they won 7.16 (58) to 4.2 (26).
They had a BBQ and a few beers afterward in what bizarrely could turn out to be their post-season drinks.
"We've probably got a duty of care going forward and it (not playing) would probably be the most sensible thing," Carroll said.
"My opinion is the football community have a duty of care to player, their families and the rest of the community. There's been cases in Albury and Canberra and it's the right thing to do, especially if we're playing only eight games.
"I love footy more than anything, but you have to think outside that bubble a bit sometimes. You hate for someone to lose their Nan or whatever that may be.
"We pull the pin now we could protect the Riverina a bit more rather than waiting a few weeks. I think most clubs would breathe a sigh of relief (if it was cancelled)."
Carroll said the trial was reward for his players who had been training hard since late last year, and had little trouble motivating them despite the prospect of there possibly being no season.
The Bulldogs finished last year strongly to finish sixth and just miss finals, and he excited about helping them take the next step.
"They were up and about and it was good to get that game out of the way because if it (season) gets pulled, it gives them some finality," he said.
"We had a good young list and before all this happened I was looking forward to the year. We won our last three games last year and finished on a real high, I was looking forward to seeing the improvement of the squad."
CSU coach Pat Noonan said his team would wait for advice from above before they decide their stance on playing this season.
"As the coach I"m always keen to play, but that's the committee's decision and I'll support whatever decision they make on the night," he said.
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