AFL Riverina chairman Michael Irons hopes at least six clubs come forward to form an all-new competition for the shortened COVID-19 season.
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Irons announced on Tuesday the introduction of the AFL Riverina Championship for season 2020, a composite competition made up on willing Riverina and Farrer League clubs.
The move came after a marathon AFL Riverina board meeting on Monday night, where they decided to delay the start of the senior competition, that was due to start on Saturday, after a week of upheaval.
Six clubs across both competitions have withdrawn from the season, prompting AFL Riverina to delay the season a week and create with the 'championship' format.
Clubs have until 5pm today to confirm their inclusion to AFL Riverina with the season to start on Saturday week, July 25.
Irons believes six clubs would need to enter for the championship to be viable.
"It's an interesting one. We'll wait and see what does come back but we're going to need at least 50 per cent I feel. At least," Irons said
"Even then it may still be questionable in regards to how much season length we can fit in and is it of value to clubs."
There has been calls for AFL Riverina to abandon plans for a season but Irons said the board's decision was not made lightly.
"We had to obviously work through a lot of information and there is a lot of concern out there but we've also got to take on board what the government advice is at the moment and weigh that up," he said.
"And also take into consideration what the risks are. Obviously the border region is a risk and is a big concern and we feel that if these restrictions come into place then that helps alleviate a lot of that risk and should reduce that concern."
AFL Riverina has strongly recommended that clubs don't play any border-based footballers or netballers until further notice.
It has also asked that clubs think twice about any travelling players in the current climate.
"We think clubs should seriously review the participation of players out of other regions as well. It's about our communities and I think clubs need to focus on what's best for our communities and not premierships," he said.
"Any players that are travelling into the Riverina region, clubs need to look whether its feasible for them to participate."
Any player that has transferred into the league since June 1 will be subject to a screening test.
AFL Riverina also believe the week delay will allow them to be more informed heading into the start of the season.
"We're going to have a better idea where we're at by the time we start on July 25 in regards to the testing that would have occurred along the border region," Irons said.
"That's where a lot of the concern is coming from. We'll be in a better position towards the end of this week, early next week, if there are more concerns around an increase in cases in the Murrumbidgee health region."
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