After nearly a month-long hiatus Kyabram District League is locked in to return this weekend.
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The league has given the green light for play to resume on Saturday with round 14 to take place.
There are only four games scheduled to be played with seven clubs sitting out.
However, there will be no crowds in attendance at these matches.
The matches scheduled to be played will be subject to restrictions set by the Victorian Government.
There is an outdoor venue cap of 300 patrons for participants and those required to facilitate the activity, with general spectators not permitted to attend.
Indoor venues will be capped at 100 patrons and canteens will be open.
People at the ground will need to be wearing a facemask indoors and outdoors and must scan the QR codes located around the ground.
President Fraser Kerrins said the league was glad to have action return despite the restrictions being in place.
“While it is not ideal given the current circumstances, we are happy to be in a position to be able to play football and netball again,” Kerrins said.
“It is important for players to be able to participate again and we hope to finish the season without any further lockdowns.”
The league returns with a bang with enthralling matches of football and netball at Murchison Recreation Reserve.
It looms as a crucial game on the netball courts between Murchison-Toolamba and Shepparton East.
The Hoppers sit seventh on the ladder — equal sixth on points — and are fresh off a win over previously undefeated Girgarre.
A win against the second-ranked Eagles would be a great feather in the cap for Jenni McCluskey and her squad.
“We are hoping to take the game right up to Shepp East. It'd be nice to give my old club a run for their money,” McCluskey said with a laugh.
“We know it's going to be a tough game. They are going to go in prepared for us.
“We need to stick to our game plan and take it quarter by quarter. Hopefully we can match them. We know we can do it against the top sides.”
Unfortunately for the Hoppers, they will be without midcourter Heidi Merritt for the stoush.
Merritt injured her wrist and is set to face weeks on the sidelines.
But it's not all bad news for the Hoppers.
Former coach Alice Cunningham has returned to the side, alongside former player Shae Ewart.
“Even without playing we have still got some injury worries,” McCluskey said.
“Heidi sprained her wrist and looks to be out for a few weeks. But we have been able to welcome back two former players in Alice and Shae which is really exciting.”
On the football field, there is a flicker of hope in Shepparton East's season.
The Eagles would need to win each game — as well as other results go their way — to climb the ladder from ninth and clinch a finals spot.
However, the fifth-ranked Hoppers stand in the way of them achieving that target.
Eagles coach Duane Hueston highlighted the goals his side had set as it returns from the COVID-19 lockdown.
“It has been a funny season. I've really tried to emphasise having some fun and motivate the group for the last few rounds,” Hueston said.
“We have set some goals for the next three games we play.
“We just want to be competitive and make sure that we are still in each game at three-quarter time.”
Hueston said the Hoppers, who boast the likes of Brad Cunningham and Jordan McGregor, would be a tough test for his line-up.
“We are expecting a very well-drilled and well-structured outfit,” he said.
“They play that full-ground press very well. We are under no illusions of where we are at and playing against these top sides is a great learning curve for us.”
In the remaining matches, Nagambie plays host to Ardmona, Girgarre welcomes Tallygaroopna and Undera squares up against the travelling Longwood.
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