How will coronavirus break affect sports in south-west Victoria?

One year from now, will footy be a bustling sport with a resurgence in player numbers across all grades or will players, not only of footy and netball, but other team sports realise they can do without?

Right now, things are raw and as humans we're living day-to-day as the COVID-19 pandemic forces government to take steps to prevent its spread.

The message from experts is unequivocally to stay home and avoid public settings unless absolutely necessary, and with good reason.

Community and AFL footy has been suspended until at least May 31.

There's every possibility players could be off ovals and courts longer than this period, too.

Most involved with sport will agree it's the right thing to do, but it doesn't make it any less sad that a social and competitive outlet for many is off temporarily.

That said, one of the biggest issues facing country footy in particular is a lack of numbers in reserves and lower grades.

Footy is almost religion for Victorians. In winter, it's on everywhere you look.

Will its absence, on both a national and community level, capture interest that had previously waned?

Will people miss the brilliant day-to-day social outlet that football-netball clubs provide?

There's an element of certainty in that at least some will indeed.

As the saying goes, you don't know what you've got until it's gone.

The forced break from our national pastime could be a positive thing. It could reignite passion that had previously burnt out. Things could go one of three ways.

Either interest peaks, and the game is better for the forced break in the long run.

There's no denying financial impacts will still be felt by clubs, but AFL Western District is doing all it can to help on that front.

Another option is that the landscape doesn't change much at all. Will things emerge similar to the way they stood at the end of last season?

The last option is one not one fan of sport would want to see. Will the coronavirus-forced break weaken our national game?

Will people realise they no longer need sport to fill out their weekends?

Footy and netball are resilient sports but as AFL chief Gill McLachlan suggested, this could be the biggest test in the game's history.

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Another spin off is the effect on summer sports. It's probably too early to think about, but will something like cricket benefit if country footy is forced to cancel its season?

Would people who prioritise football over all head to cricket for competitive action? The jury is still out and we won't know until the weather starts warming up again. Passion for footy, and netball, and all other team sports is still very much alive and it's evident people are missing the chance to cheer their club on.

Here's hoping - like many south-west sports fans - team sport can weather this storm and come out better for it.

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