GEELONG may still get a chance to win its first VFLW premiership, with the AFL refusing to cancel this year’s grand final clash with Collingwood.
However, it’s season over for the Cats’ male equivalent, with the VFL season called off following the extension of the COVID-19 lockdown in Victoria.
Geelong has been waiting to play Collingwood in the VFLW decider for more than a month after beating Essendon in the preliminary final on July 31.
The AFL says the delay to the start of the AFLW season has given it some options to conclude the season that started in late February.
Options had been put in place by the AFL to complete the VFL season by September 19, which Geelong finished in fourth spot.
Footscray will be recognised as the minor premier, with awards including the ‘Frosty’ Miller and Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medals to be presented at a later date.
However, the Liston Trophy for the competition’s best-and-fairest won’t be awarded.
“All levels of the game across Australia have been impacted by the health pandemic this year, and it has been another challenging year for everyone connected to football, the AFL’s Tristan Salter said.
“Footy clubs are the heartbeat of many local communities, and the identity of our clubs and our league will not be defined by the outcome of the 2020 and 2021 season,” Salter said.
“We acknowledge this is very disappointing news for the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans of the VFL and commend every VFL club who has worked tirelessly to ensure a united approach to the outcome of the 2021 Season.
“We have explored many scenarios as to how we could still proceed in Victoria and interstate over the last few weeks, but it ultimately provided too great a challenge for all involved.”
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