AFL Riverina has set set a cut-off date of September 19 to complete their finals series, or no premierships will be awarded for season 2021.
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An email was sent to clubs on Monday morning to confirm their plan of attack with cutting the fifth-placed teams - Collingullie Glenfield Park and Northern Jets - plus reverting to a two-week finals system part of the process.
The semi finals of both leagues are scheduled for September 4 and 5, with the grand finals the following week. But the decision to make September 19 the latest date to play, shorter than other codes like soccer and rugby league who are willing to go to mid-October, is the biggest development.
"We have been extremely fortunate to have played as many games of football and netball this year as we have with very little disruption or restrictions until now. Clubs have worked extremely hard to achieve this and we do not want to create further uncertainty or extend the season and increase the burden on volunteers," AFL Riverina chairman Michael Irons said in the memorandum to clubs.
We believe that to play a final series and award a premiership without further disruptions or accommodating any further delays to the lifting of restrictions can only be achieved by undertaking our finals series in the quickest possible fashion. We also wish to accommodate a period for players to adequately prepare for a return to play.
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"Should we not be able to commence our finals series by September 11 and 12 and we cannot play our grand finals by the weekend of September 18 and 19, the final series will be cancelled and our season deemed completed with no premierships to be awarded.
"Both competitions will revert to a final four and be played over two weekends commencing on September 4 and 5, with the grand finals to be held on the weekend of September 11 and 12.
"The weekend of September 18 and 19 will be held in reserve should there be any delays or disruptions caused by government restrictions."
The Farrer League grand final is set for Saturday, September 11, with the Riverina League's the following day. All Farrer League finals will be played at Robertson Oval, and all Riverina League finals at Narrandera Sportsground
- More to come
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