The Ovens and Murray Football Netball League and a number of club presidents have rejected talk the prospect of no crowds in Victoria means no competition.
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The Victorian Government announced yesterday morning it was tightening restrictions for NSW residents in the COVID border bubble to enter Victoria.
As of 11.59pm tonight, there's only six reasons to travel south of the Murray River, including sport and exercise at a sporting club or facility.
Prior to that edict, no crowds were allowed anyway into Victorian sporting events until at least next Tuesday.
There's been no official word on whether that will remain in place past that day, but speculation is rising that the no crowd order will be extended.
Given the O and M now has only seven weeks left, that doesn't leave much time where crowds might be allowed back, although we all know circumstances can change quickly.
"Beyond no crowds this week, we haven't heard anything categorical yet, but we're getting a sense that might be the case for at least another week or two," O and M general manager Craig Millar offered.
Millar was then quizzed if crowds aren't allowed back in Victoria for the final three home and away games, which are planned to resume this week after a three-game break, and the four weeks of finals, would the season be cancelled?
"The short answer is no," he declared.
"We'll sit down with a meeting with our clubs in the next few days about what the scenarios look like and then make a decision based on that."
The Border Mail spoke with a number of club presidents and asked them whether it was a case of no crowds, no play.
"It's probably not that desperate a measure at this stage, we're prepared to play this coming Saturday without a crowd and work it out on a week-by-week basis," Wodonga Raiders' boss Mark Johnston revealed.
The O and M has 10 clubs, with six based in Victoria.
Saturday's round 16 features four games in Victoria, including Raiders-Corowa-Rutherglen.
Wangaratta, meantime, hosts Wodonga.
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"At this stage, Wangaratta is prepared to play without crowds," co-president Ellyn O'Brien said, adding that also applies in the final round.
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