![Hume league officials remain hopeful its finals series can commence on September 4. Hume league officials remain hopeful its finals series can commence on September 4.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/asdkjfewiKKD/99f45319-e209-48a9-be7c-42c06b486773.jpg/r0_400_5148_3306_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A possible clash with the AFL grand final is the least of the Hume league's worries as it scrambles to get its finals series underway.
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The league proposed a condensed three week finals commencing on September 4 after meeting with clubs on Tuesday night.
Clubs will vote on the proposal next week.
The finals commencing still hinge on both NSW and Victoria exiting lockdown before next weekend.
If clubs approve to press ahead with a three weeks finals series and it gets underway next weekend, the league's biggest match of the season is set to clash with the AFL grand final on September 18.
League vice president Phil Bouffler said there were still numerous hurdles to jump before a grand final could be staged.
The league put a deadline of October 3 as the latest date for the grand final to be played.
"The feedback we received from clubs is that they didn't want to play this weekend if the NSW lockdown ended," Bouffler said.
"Clubs feel you need to train and you just can't play cold turkey.
"As a league we also have a duty of care to the players.
"We can't have blokes getting injured and being off work.
"There is still so much uncertainty surrounding the lockdowns and if they will be lifted.
"We just wanted to give clubs some clarification if it does eventuate.
"As far as a possible clash with the AFL grand final, we are just trying to deal with one issue at a time.
"If lockdowns are lifted we can get into a room with the presidents and work through all the logistics then."
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Under the proposed finals system, sides who finished top-two lose the advantage of the double chance.
Bouffler conceded it was a major talking point that the best two sides of the home and away season were disadvantaged.
"It could be argued that those top-two sides do get a double chance because they are not eliminated during the first week of finals," he said.
"But what we have put out to the clubs is a recommendation and we have to get feedback from the presidents next week.
"There are just still too many if, buts and maybe's.
"I'm a great believer in you get over the first hurdle and then tackle the next one.
"As a board we are just trying to do everything in our power to get a finals series underway."
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