Yarrawonga commences lengthy pre-season under new AFL Victoria protocols

The Pigeons had their first training run at J.C. Lowe Oval on Monday night in adherence to AFL Victoria's return to training and playing protocols, more than five months out from the start of the 2021 Ovens and Murray season.

President Ross Mulquiney said coach Mark Whiley plans to get the group together once a week, with Tyler Bonat also running sessions from his Mulwala gym he co-owns with former coach Chris Kennedy.

"We're rolling back to one night a week for a while to get blokes to remember who they are," Mulquiney said.

"Our junior footy program is still going at the club, which is bizarre, so we've got one starting their next season whilst the others are finishing.

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"I suppose that's par for the course this year.

"I'm assuming it's not going to be anything too arduous, it's more to have a bit of a kick and a run around for an hour or so."

Non-contact training is permitted outdoors for 10 or less players, with multiple groups able to use the same facility providing there's 100 metres of separation.

Social distancing of 1.5 metres must always be maintained and no more than the minimum number of participants required to conduct the session can participate.

Hygiene measures must be put in place and a register of participants is to be kept and managed by at least one COVID safety officer nominated by the club.

"It will be interesting to see how long it is before we can do contact training again," Mulquiney said.

"Hopefully by the time it gets to the Easter weekend (next year) we're able to have crowds, which will make a big difference."