WDFNL football coaches share thoughts on return to training

Russells Creek mentor Peter Timms wonders how you can "expect blokes to go to battle together on the footy field" when they can't yet engage in contact and have to train in two groups of 10 as per AFL Victoria protocols.

Some Warrnambool and District league clubs are waiting on the outcome of a league meeting on Monday night before they elect to resume football training following an easing of coronavirus-enforced restrictions.

The WDFNL presidents, board and AFL Western District's Matthew Ross will be at the meeting.

Nirranda coach Brayden Harkness and Panmure mentor Chris Bant will wait until after the meeting to make a call on training.

Dennington leader Mick Phillips said his club would have a meeting on Monday night to discuss how training could work.

He's also keen to hear about the outcome of the league meeting.

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Timms said "we'll resume once I'm advised by my football committee that it's safe to do so".

"Until that happens, the boys will continue to do their own thing," he said.

But Timms wants a decision made on the season.

He feels the longer the decision drags out the less likely it is there will be one in 2020.

"I can't see myself playing players who aren't match fit," he said.

"And we can't get match fit if we can't train with contact.

"And in small groups of 10, there's no way we can prepare properly."

Timms said it would be a "dangerous step" to have a season without proper preparation to play games of footy.

He believes it would be fine to have a season if contact training was allowed to happen straight away.

Timms said he had players messaging him flat out wanting to know when training would return.

He has his players' welfare at the forefront of his mind.

"I've got a duty of care to make sure they're ready to play," he said.

Meanwhile, Allansford coach Ben Price said the Cats would resume training on Tuesday night.

The first session will a group discussion on the COVID-19 restrictions and requirements for training followed by a kick around.

Players have been asked to bring their own drink bottle and be in their training gear before they get to the ground. They must also perform their own strapping, as per AFL Victoria guidelines.

"The sessions at this stage are purely to provide you all with an outlet to help manage the confinements we have all faced during he COVID-19 pandemic," Price told his players.

Timboon Demons mentor David Johnston said the Dees intended to start training next week.

"We're just working out all the logistics and how to best implement the protocols," he said.

Kolora-Noorat coach Ben Walsh said the Power would wait a bit longer before making a call on group training. He's hoping for the relaxation of more restrictions and a clear direction in regards to a season start date.

Old Collegians coach Nick Sheehan said the Warriors were also waiting and hadn't locked in a training session yet.

South Rovers and Merrivale have been contacted for comment.

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