No spectators are allowed at any football games under the current COVID restrictions. It means clubs won’t earn revenue at the gate and could struggle to pay player salaries and umpire wages.

The Victorian government will revise the rule next week but there’s no indication that the spectator ban will lift.

Opinion was split across Gippsland League clubs. It’s believed five clubs voted to return to play as soon as possible and five voted to return on August 14, in hopes that crowds would be back in time. After negotiations concluded, clubs met in the middle and will resume August 7. 

AFL Gippsland Regional Manager Nic Fogarty said the delay will give clubs the chance to figure out COVID-safe protocols and give footballers the chance to train again, limiting the risk of injury. The Gippsland League fixture is in the process of being reworked to account for lost home and away games.

“We know for a fact that on the 7th there will be no spectators, so the clubs that host those games won’t be able to take a gate,” he said.

Fogarty said any support from local, state, and federal governments would be welcomed by football clubs. The Gippsland League salary cap is set to $120,000 per club over 18 games, but because of the reduced season will come in at about $87,000 over 13 games.

Drouin Hawks footballer Tom Barr thinks salaries are ruining country football. “Country footy used to mean you’re loyal to your club and loyal to your town. Now if a club wants to pay you an extra $300 [a game] you’d be silly to say no,” Barr said.

While Barr is out this weekend due to a hamstring injury, he said he’s thankful for the extra income from games but would happily go without if it meant returning to football sooner. “We do it for the love of country football,” he said. 

Warragul Gulls coach Dean Alger said his seniors were keen to get back on the field after seeing strong numbers at training. Warragul Football Club will still pay players this week.

“I’d be very surprised if people wouldn’t play for nothing, with the type of group we’ve got,” Alger said.

In the Ellinbank and District Football League, senior football will also return this weekend after clubs voted on a date.

Lang Lang Football Club President Chris Brew said while his club wanted to start straight away, he’s glad the EDFL will resume August 7.

“Getting everyone back out there has got to be more important than a couple of thousand dollars that may or may not affect the clubs that haven’t planned for this,” he said.

Lang Lang are set to play at home on the weekend but will still pay their players, despite the expected financial hit from missed gate income. “We’re prepared and more than willing to absorb that loss for the better of our club and our community.

“In 2020 there was a big chorus around how important football and netball was for people’s mental health and that seems to have been forgotten,” Brew said.

The Mid Gippsland League goes back this weekend and will play its two remaining home and away matches followed by finals.

The West Gippsland Football Competition resumes August 14 after a majority of clubs voted for the delayed start.