The Riddell League has announced the return of football and netball competitions this weekend for all age groups.
Finals arrangements have been changed: Lancefield and Romsey will host the senior semi-finals on Friday, September 24, and the Grand Final will be at Romsey on Sunday, October 3.
The semi-finals will see 1 play 4 and 2 play 3, with the two winners advancing to the Grand Final.
The league has liaised closely with all senior and junior clubs this week to progress the rest of the season.
League general manager Jordan Doyle expressed thanks to Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Romsey Football Netball Club, Romsey Cricket Club, Gisborne District Cricket Association Cricket Victoria and AFL Victoria for their support on the later Grand Final date and helping the community clubs maximise the whole home and away season.
The changes enable all clubs to play 16 home and away matches (eight home and eight away) to maximise revenue later in the year when crowds return.
“It is unfortunate that over the next two weekends, spectators cannot attend out matches but we will be working hard with our senior clubs to minimise the pain of no spectators and look forward to assisting them with their season,” Doyle said.
The RDFNL is still finalising the junior girls and youth girls competition fixtures, but matches will go ahead this weekend from round 9.
The junior structure has been pushed back two weeks to accommodate a full home and away season, as well as a three weeks finals series.
Junior qualifying/elimination finals are on Sunday, August 29, the preliminary finals on Sunday, September 5, and the Grand Final on Sunday, September 12.
