Dr Ian McShane, an associate professor at the RMIT Centre for Urban Research and the Sustainable Urban Planning Program, said it would depend on the situation.

"You don't get that many people at some of the grounds and I think there will be local circumstances that could accommodate the kind of level of spectators that would normally go to watch a match," he said.

Dr McShane also feels there will be some self-regulation when it comes to crowds.

ome people won't feel comfortable going along at the moment so you won't get everybody there," he said.

OTHER NEWS:

Dr McShane doubts there will be the problem of life-long members being turned away at the gate.

He acknowledged it could be a challenge at a club with lots of members.

"I'd be inclined to suck it and see, just give it a go, and there may need to be some adjustments made on the fly," he said. "But we've been doing that all the way through this pandemic anyway."

The associate professor, based in Melbourne, also highlighted country sport didn't have the problems of crowded public transport and crowded footy grounds.

"There is a bit of a capacity for more social distancing and social spacing," he said.

The academic pointed out clubs had long demonstrated the ability to be innovative and adapt to welfare measures including the blood rule.

"I don't see any reason at all why footy clubs can't put in place reasonable measures to ensure both player welfare and the welfare of spectators," he said.

The Mininera and District league will decide the fate of its season on June 22 while the Warrnambool and District league will wait until June 24.

The Hampden league cancelled its senior seasons last week but junior football and netball, as well as women's football, remain possible.

OTHER NEWS:

Dr McShane also believes clubs should have to have numerous COVID-19 officers to support each other.

It comes after two South West District league presidents - Heywood's Darren McDowell and Westerns' Adam Hawke - highlighted the pressure of the role when the SWDFNL decided to cancel its season in late May.

"I think it's very difficult if there's just one person making and enforcing the decisions," Dr McShane said.

"I think there should be a number of those people, not just one so they're not bearing the load."

AFL Victoria's return to small outdoor group training protocols state each club must nominate one COVID Safety Officer. Duties currently include ensuring all players, coaches and officials are aware of and adhere to the return to training protocols. The officer is covered under the Community Football Public Liability insurance policy. It's strongly recommended other club officials undertake the training.

AFL Victoria encourages clubs "to have multiple people to take ownership of this role and share the responsibility".

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