AFL Central West Covid-19 Update – Friday August 27, 2021

Following yesterday’s two-week extension to the current stay at home order and taking into consideration the outbreak of active cases in our participating club’s local government areas AFL Central West in conjunction with AFL NSW ACT have made the unfortunate decision to abandon the 2021 AFL Central West season.

The decision has also considered the Government’s position on the current Central West outbreak quoting the Deputy Premier John Barilaro “there is no way Dubbo/Central West will be out of lockdown in two or four weeks”.

Whilst the league made every attempt to complete the finals series, yesterday’s extension takes us beyond the roadmap’s identified safe return to play parameters. Although stay-at-home orders are set to conclude prior to the season’s proposed end dates, there is insufficient time to permit a safe return to play.

As per the season’s abandonment, the league have made the below determinations:

1. 2021 premierships will not be awarded
2. Individual awards such as Best & Fairest and Leading Goalkicker will be awarded at a later date to be confirmed
3. With no premiers, the league’s records will acknowledge this season’s Minor Premiers. The league congratulate each of these sides for their achievements this year during the Home & Away season.

1. 1. Senior Men’s Tier 1 – Bathurst Giants
   2. Senior Men’s Tier 2 – Parkes Panthers
   3. Women’s – Bathurst Giants
   4. Under-17s – Bathurst Giants
   5. Under-14s – Orange Tigers
   6. Under-12s – Bathurst Giants
   7. Youth Girls – Bathurst Bushrangers

READ: Covid-19 Update – Friday August 20, 2021

This is not how we wanted to end our 40^th Year of Footy. However, it has unfortunately become the only way to do so. This season has been one like no other, as we celebrated the rich history of our game in the region. It was competitive and deserved to have finals for a conclusion.

Personally, I would like to say thank-you to our AFL Central West community for supporting our code during challenging 2020 and 2021 seasons. Hopefully we can return to normality in the very near future.

Thank-you to our players, coaches, club administrators, volunteers, umpires and spectators for your involvement this season.

Finally, to any retiring or departing players and outgoing committee members, thank-you for your individual contributions to our league and its clubs.

Stay Safe,

Casey White
Competition & Development Coordinator – Central West