COLLINGULLIE-Glenfield Park is nervously waiting to see whether they'll get a crack at finals football after the statewide lockdown was extended for a week.
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The Demons rallied strongly after a slow start to the year, but consecutive losses to Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes and Leeton-Whitton ensured they finished fifth.
No changes have been made to the finals system and number of teams at this point, but any further lockdown extensions could prompt officials to look at reducing it to a four-team format.
Demons coach Brett Somerville said the team would be disappointed if that is the scenario that unfolds, but understands the unique situation the league finds itself in.
"I understand they've got to try and get a result, and do it in a timely manner and the safest way possible," he said.
"If we're fifth (and we miss out) that's on our performance, but if would be disappointing from the club's point of view where we get to a point where we've made the finals, and not play.
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"I understand the other side of it, but it wouldn't make it any easier to deal with. If you've put the work in for the season and especially with some of the stuff we've had to deal with, to miss out would be disappointing."
Somerville suggested some common ground needed to be found between restarting as soon as possible, and and not putting players in danger through lack of training.
"You could get bumped one more (weekend and still play). But to come off a lockdown on a Saturday and play straight away, after next weekend I think it does start to become a little more on that dangerous side.
If the finals aren't altered the Demons will take on Coolamon in an elimination clash. Like some other finals rivals, a delay would help some of their injured brigade recover.
"Joe Schultz with a knee will get back in, Nick (Perryman) with his (fractured) hand should be right, and Joe Perryman (shoulder)," he said.
"Harry Radley and Josh Conlan didn't play either (against the Goannas).
"It has tested our depth and it probably showed on the weekend, so it will be good to get a few back."
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