WDFNL president Kylie Murphy says league expects financial hit

Crowds are not allowed under current coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

Only the minimum number of people required to conduct the sport are allowed. Spectators are not permitted unless they're a parent or carer required to supervise dependants.

Murphy said Friday's announcement about a positive COVID case in Shepparton gave her a fright about whether regional Victoria would go into lockdown again.

Premier Daniel Andrews didn't make changes to restrictions in regional Victoria.

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However, Murphy is not confident the league will be allowed a crowd at its semi-finals next weekend.

"In light of restrictions, with the scary news today (Friday), I do have a gut feeling we're not going to have a crowd next week but do hope we can have a crowd for the preliminary and grand finals," she said.

"It would be so good for the players, community and clubs if we can have crowds.

"It's disappointing that people can't support teams and watch them."

She added it was disappointing that many parents and grandparents couldn't watch their children and grandchildren play.

Murphy, who is overseeing her first season as president after 2020 was cancelled, anticipates the league will lose thousands of dollars this weekend with no crowd.

"We will have a bit of a financial hit but that's something the board is working through together," she said.

The president explained umpire payments - football and netball - security and COVIDSafe officers were among the fees the league had to cover.

She explained East Warrnambool and Russells Creek were the tenders for this year's finals series.

East Warrnambool is running the canteen and Russells Creek is running the booth.

Murphy explained that because the league was not expecting the normal amount of cash flow, those clubs would get the takings and a percentage of that would go to the league.

The president said the league was well-prepared to be COVID compliant this weekend.

"We'll have security on the gates and COVID officers and people will be asked for a QR code and prove they've got a green tick," she said.

"Clubs have already sent us the team and who they need to run the game.

"Juniors are allowed to have one parent or care-giver to help.

"We are really asking once you've played, that you leave after the game."

WDFNL qualifying finals are at Mortlake's D.C. Farran Oval on Saturday and the elimination finals are at Allansford Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

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