A lifeline: Crunch talks loom as footy leagues plot return to play

With no exposure sites and no positive wastewater detections outside Melbourne, Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday the regions would be released from the strict rules from 11.59pm on Monday night.

Sport, including senior competition and training, could resume but again no crowds will be allowed. Only players, coaches, officials, parents or guardians - those necessary to facilitate games - will be allowed.

Hampden league president Garry Perrett said his board would meet with club presidents on Monday night to discuss a return to play.

He said it was unclear if clubs outside the top five and mathematically out of the finals race would be "keen to keep going".

"It's up to (clubs) what they want to do," Perrett said.

"We're not going to be riding over the top of them. We'll take their input." Hampden juniors are scheduled to play finals this coming weekend while senior competitions have two home-and-away rounds remaining.

Perrett said playing finals without crowds would be tough to justify.

There was hope restrictions could ease again in time for spectators to see elimination and qualifying finals. The Warrnambool and District league, meanwhile, has one round before its finals series.

WDFNL president Kylie Murphy said an email had been sent out to clubs this afternoon to organise a meeting for sometime this week.

The main discussions will be on whether the final round of the season is played and the possibility of playing finals without crowds.

"We will try and meet and work out our exact plans," she told The Standard.

"(The) main concern of the board (is crowds) and we will have a chat about that and talk to clubs that will be in finals and how they will be effected by not having crowds then we will go from there."

South Rovers (fifth), Russells Creek (sixth) and Old Collegians (seventh) are all locked on 20 points in the football.

Russells Creek is one game outside of the top five in the netball with Old Collegians holding the prized last finals spot.

If the final WDFNL round is scrapped it could end a number of seasons in lower grades as well.

The 13 and under, 15 and under and B grade netball competitions still have teams with a shot at a top-five spot.

While in the football, reserves and under 15s also have teams still vying for a finals berth.

The Western Victoria Female Football league has one round remaining before its grand finals will be played between the top two teams.

Based on current ladder positions, South Warrnambool and Portland will contest the senior women's finale.

In the junior competition South Warrnambool has locked up one of the spots while Terang Mortlake, Horsham Demons and Hamilton Kangaroos are all a chance to make the decider.

Meanwhile, south-west golf clubs can welcome back members and visitors to their courses.

Warrnambool and Port Fairy golf clubs confirmed social and competition golf will return with gathering limits to apply. Timesheets have been re-released this afternoon.

Shot gun starts are again not permitted and facemasks must be worn at all times on course and in the clubhouse, which has a 68-patron cap.

QR check in is required while sanitising stations are available at each hole. Players are also recommended to carry sanitiser/wipes in their golf bag for added personal hygiene protection.

It's mixed emotions for Warrnambool basketball with the Seahawks and Mermaids, who play in the state-wide Big V competition, unable to resume.

The team can train but with teams based out of metropolitan Melbourne games are on hold for the time being.

The club's domestic junior and senior competitions and training can resume under Basketball Victoria's return to play protocols.

Maximum group sizes are 50 and is limited to minimum number of people required to participate in and facilitate the activity and spectators are not allowed.

One parent, guardian or care per 18-and-under participant or for an adult with a disability is permitted.

South West Victoria Football Association and its clubs will meet on Tuesday night to discuss their plans.

Secretary Ollie Hodson said the SWVFA had a few proposals for clubs.

He said the association was happy to return to the pitch again and hoped they could get the season concluded without any further interruptions.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.