The Rock-Yerong Creek co-president, David Pieper, said there's frustration that clubs didn't have more of a say in AFL Riverina's finals decision-making, including the touchy mid-September cut-off date for completion.
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The return of community sport will ultimately rest with NSW Government restrictions but the announcement of a September 19 deadline for Riverina and Farrer League grand finals meant last week's lockdown extension put paid to any hopes of finals sooner than anyone expected.
Now, with AFL Riverina potentially to reconsider the expiry date, Pieper said the 'Pies remain keen to give finals every chance.
"Definitely. The boys are training to try and keep fit. The longer it goes on, the more you might have blokes drop off with their discipline, being country footy, but I think it was a bit early to call the 19th of September to be finished," Pieper said.
"Two weeks ago, we voted on options like playing on the Sunday (if the initial lockdown hadn't been extended), or have a week off, and whether we'd want top five or top six. We all voted on that.
"Then the next week they came straight out with the top four finals (and grand final cut-off date) and we didn't even vote. Clubs are frustrated with not being able to have a say."
Pieper was comfortable with the abridged finals series but, echoing many other clubs, caught by surprise with the earlier-than-anticipated cut-off date.
"I definitely think they should hold off at the moment and don't make the call of that date, for some reason, the 19th," he said.
"I think the top four idea and a two-week finals series was fair enough because you just never know. Even with two weeks, we could get the first week done and have another snap lockdown.
"But I think clubs that are in the finals would like to give it at least a couple more weeks to see if we can finish off."
He said they're understanding of the challenges with grounds and pressure on volunteers but believes they're not insurmountable.
TRYC set a goal of returning to finals this year and exceeded their own expectations by securing a top three finish with wins in the last two rounds against North Wagga and Temora.
The Magpies midfielder said he's a bit sick of road running now. But even after a month of solo training, they'd be happy to go into a semi-final against East Wagga-Kooringal with minimal preparation time.
"I think one week is sufficient. That would be a month without a training together (if the current stay-at-home orders aren't extended) so everyone would be scratchy and underdone. But it would be good to reward clubs who've done the work during the year, it would be good to give them the opportunity," Pieper said.
"You can lose a lot of fitness in a month but it's not like coming back first round after six months off."
Pieper said the break hasn't done him any harm and gives them a chance to get key position player Dylan Cook (ankle) back, and potentially co-coach Heath Russell (quad).
However, the Canberra rulings affecting three of their most important players - centre-half-forward Dean Biermann and midfielders Riley Budd and Joe Hancock - is another complication they'll have to battle.
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