SENIOR Hampden league action will return on Saturday if the Victorian government eases COVID-19 restrictions this coming week.
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Acting premier James Merlino on Wednesday hinted regional Victoria could emerge further from the state's fourth COVID-19 lockdown if case numbers remain stable.
A Hampden league statement on Tuesday said it was prepared for two separate scenarios.
If restrictions ease in regional Victoria, the league will facilitate senior football and netball to round nine of the current fixture.
It means the following fixtures will take place across all Saturday grades:
- Warrnambool v Cobden at Deakin University
- Portland v North Warrnambool Eagles at Hanlon Reserve
- South Warrnambool v Terang Mortlake at Friendly Societies Park
- Koroit v Port Fairy at Victoria Park
- Camperdown v Hamilton Kangaroos at Leura Oval
All Sunday fixtures, meanwhile, will also proceed.
If restrictions remain the same and senior outdoor sport is still prohibited, however, the league will still implement the return of all Saturday junior grades.
It means at the very least under 18.5s, 17 and under netball, 17 and under reserves, 15 and under and 13 and under will take place after missing this past Saturday.
If restrictions remain in place, the league will play to round 18 fixture which will include the following games:
- Cobden v Warrnambool at Cobden Recreation Reserve
- North Warrnambool Eagles v Portland at Bushfield Oval
- Terang Mortlake v South Warrnambool at Terang Recreation Reserve
- Port Fairy v Koroit at Gardens Oval
- Hamilton Kangaroos v Camperdown at Melville Oval
Hampden league board member Troy Logan said the league was keen to provide short-term clarity for clubs and specators.
No decision has yet been made on the fate of round seven and eight, which were missed due to Victoria's fourth coronavirus lockdown.
The Hampden league's scheduled mid-season bye - for the weekend of July 3 - will remain in place regardless of any future fixture changes.
"We acknowledge that COVID-19 challenges will remain in place for some time and are focused providing clarity in the short term for all HFNL competitions," he said.
"The HFNL will continue discussions over the coming weeks and will make further announcements once we have better clarity about COVID restrictions.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the countless volunteers who are working hard to provide opportunities for football and netball to be conducted safely.
"We encourage the entire HFNL Community to be considerate of these volunteers and thank them for the amazing work they do under the current challenging circumstances."
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