Patron caps in 2021 for football-netball in the south-west

AFL Victoria updated its Return to Training and Games Protocols on February 5 to accommodate coronavirus restrictions.

A key point is "Patron cap of 1000, group sizes align with public gathering limits of 100 people".

AFL Western District (AFLWD) region manager Matt Ross emphasised current crowd restrictions weren't from AFL Vic but rather the state government's public events protocols - which all events in the state have to follow.

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He said the advice he had been given was the 1000 cap would remain in place for the whole season.

However, there is the ability to apply for larger caps.

Ross said finals series and one-off matches such as Good Friday (April 2) were on AFLWD's radar.

Old Collegians is set to host Merrivale on Good Friday in the Warrnambool and District league while Koroit will host South Warrnambool in the Hampden league.

Ross said AFLWD was meeting with those four clubs on Wednesday night to discuss whether they would look at applying for a larger crowd limit or stick with 1000 patrons.

He said while only two of the clubs had hosting duties, it was important to keep all relevant clubs up-to-speed with protocols.

There are three tiers of public events in Victoria.

Tier three is for events of 1000 people or less, two tier for 1000-5000 and tier one for more than 5000.

An event's public health risk factors also influences which tier it falls under.

Timing is an important difference between the tiers.

Tier one events must submit a COVIDSafe Event Plan for state government approval eight to 10 weeks before the event.

Tier two must submit a plan four to six weeks before the event.

Tier three only requires a COVIDSafe Event Checklist at least a week before the event.

Ross said the 1000-cap meant 1000 people at a point in time at footy-netball, rather than overall.

For example, 2000 people could end up coming through the gates for the day.

Ross also said the 1000-cap didn't include footy-netball participants and the minimum number of officials required for matches.

Something the region manager highlighted was under current state government conditions - public event phase one - people must be seated-only for tier one and tier two events (more than 1000).

He said in those circumstances football-netball would need to be ticketed.

"That's completely new to clubs and leagues around here," he said.

He envisages spectators would buy pre-sold tickets with it clearly defined where they could be at a venue to maintain social distancing.

He said the detail needed to be worked out but a venue may be broken up into zones.

Ross said something which laid ahead for leagues was deciding whether they would apply for tier one or two permits for finals.

He said a smaller crowd cap could impact on gate-takings and finances.

Ross said AFLWD would hold an online meeting with western district league boards on Thursday to brief them on the latest AFL Victoria and other relevant protocols.

Meanwhile, in positive signs for the season ahead, Ross said footy registrations were up 30 per cent compared to the same time in 2019.

Registrations re-opened on February 1.

There are also new teams being formed with Terang Mortlake well on its way to having its inaugural women's senior team ready to go.

Ross said Auskick numbers were also up in the western district and school clinics had returned.