WANGARATTA coach Luke Morgan believes a strong turnout at training this week is proof players want the season to get underway.
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Despite clubs being forced to train under severe government coronavirus restrictions, Morgan said the Magpies had embraced the situation.
Eight Ovens and Murray clubs resumed training this week with North Albury and Wodonga to kick-off on Tuesday night.
"You have a limited amount of football years in your playing career," Morgan said.
"The players want to play.
"We had 30 guys at training on Tuesday night which is fantastic because there is no incentive with these regulations.
"They had the option of whether or not they trained.
"We had 30 guys turn up in three groups of 10 and they loved the hour session.
"To have 30 guys turning up in late May tells me they want to play footy.
"There is no better indication that that."
To have 30 guys turning up in late May tells me they want to play footy
- Wangaratta coach Luke Morgan
Ovens and Murray general manager Sean Barrett said he received similar feedback from clubs during a presidents meeting this week.
"We had a hook up over zoom and it was mentioned how players hadn't realised how much they had missed it until they returned to training," Barrett said.
"The social, community and competitive side is something players have been missing.
"The good thing from our perspective is all the clubs are still keen on pursing playing.
"Obviously there are hurdles in regards to crowd figures and the restrictions but we will see what happens with that over the next couple of weeks."
Reigning premier Lavington recommenced training on Thursday in staggered groups after a zoom meeting with coach Simon Curtis earlier in the week.
Volunteer burnout and financial impacts remain the biggest concern for clubs with several expecting to record losses if 2020 gets underway.
