Too many questions left unanswered with AFL Victoria training guidelines, says coach

Hamilton Kangaroos coach Gerard FitzGerald said the AFL Victoria return-to-training protocols, which stipulate only two groups of 10 must take the field at one time for the time being, would be difficult to work within.

FitzGerald also wants further detail on if and how a season will proceed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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"I think there are too many issues that are yet to be resolved," he said.

"I need some more answers on those to provide more clarity for my players and staff.

"The ultimate guideline we need is - will community football be played this year, if so when, and what will be the health protocols and restrictions within that ruling?"

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AFL Victoria affiliated clubs can return to sanctioned club training - with strict social distancing measures - from Monday.

Some Hampden league clubs want to hit the track next week while others are still in the planning phases.

Warrnambool hopes its senior and under 18 players will train from Thursday, pending Warrnambool City Council approval, while cross-town rival South Warrnambool, which is waiting for guidance, is aiming for a Wednesday night return.

Hamilton Kangaroos, Camperdown, Terang Mortlake, Cobden and Portland won't start next week and reigning premier Koroit and perennial finalist Port Fairy are still a few weeks away from a return.

FitzGerald said the announcement had "provided some pathway forward but there's still a lot more clarity required", citing the figure of 20 players on the ground at one time as one hurdle.

He described the protocols, which include no access to change rooms and wiping down balls with sanitiser, as "severe limitations".

"It's a massive imposition on club volunteers to follow through on all of those protocols," he said.

"The other issues we have got is what do you do with junior teams, what are the guidelines for those?"

FitzGerald, in his first season as Roos mentor, believes country football and netball need crowds.

State government social distancing requirements have put spectators in doubt.

"Community sport without local people being able to go, to me, lacks purpose," he said. He believes there is time for a shortened season, fans pending.

"I still think there is room for a nine-game competition," FitzGerald said.

"We could play each other once and provided there is some goodwill between councils and grounds and cricket associations, local football could still go into October.

"You'd need a couple of months for the home-and-away games. But then the question is: when is training permitted for preparation to play and what are the guidelines within the health protocols?

"I think there is time to have a worthwhile competition but we need a time-frame."

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