The Age | AFL Victoria has bought more time to fit local footy into 2020 after agreeing with Cricket Victoria on transition dates.
In a joint statement released by the two state sporting bodies, local football will be able to run until October 18, allowing football leagues to fit in nine home-and-away games from August 1 until the end of September, plus three weekends of finals.
First and second XI Premier Cricket will kick off from Saturday October 10, with junior competition (October 16) and other senior cricket competitions (October 23) allocated return to play dates.
However, one football league has taken the decision into its own hands, with the Heathcote District Football League pulling the pin on its season at a board meeting on Thursday night.