An Ovens and Murray Football Netball league club boss says the latest COVID lockdown has stretched beyond sport.
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Saturday's round 16 was cancelled after the Victorian government implemented its sixth state lockdown from 8pm on Thursday night.
It means there's now just two rounds left and four weeks of finals and while some leagues are naturally battling with the prospect of calling off the season, as the Upper Murray did on Wednesday, Albury co-president Dom Star says the desire to return has never been greater.
"Absolutely, it's not just about football and netball now, it's about the mental wellbeing of not just the players, but the members and volunteers and everyone to do with the place to be honest," he revealed.
It's not just about football and netball now, it's about the mental well being of ... everyone.
- Albury's Dom Star
"There's also a lot of businesses that rely on these sporting clubs to buy goods and services as well, so we're as keen as ever."
The O and M will end up missing four games, due to Victoria's COVID lockdowns.
The State's fifth lockdown finished on Tuesday, July 27.
However, given the Victorian clubs had not been able to train for what amounted to a three-week period, the league decided last Saturday's round 15 on July 31 would also be cancelled.
Star believes the precedent was set for last week without training, meaning another week without it could force round 17 on August 14 to also be cancelled.
"Some clubs didn't want to play last week, I can't see us going ahead next week, so I see us going into round 18 and then into the finals series," he suggested.
"I think we've just got to learn that lesson, if we've got an opportunity to play, I think most of the clubs would agree we need to play."
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The O and M board will meet on Friday to discuss its plans with just six weeks now left.
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