The league released a statement to clubs stating it would aim to play a top-four finals series to conclude the 2021 season.

The HDFNL had initially hoped to play its regular top-six series, however due to restrictions not looking likely to ease in time for this weekend, those plans had to be abandoned.

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If regional sport is given the greenlight to return, the league will stage the series over two weeks, with two semi-finals in week one, followed by a grand final between the semi-final winners in week two. Week one's semi-finals will see first versus fourth and second versus third.

Unfortunately the decision means that it is season over for the teams who finished fifth and sixth in each division. In the Senior football Jeparit-Rainbow and Natimuk held those two positions while in the A Grade netball it was Jeparit-Rainbow and the Swifts.

According to the league, a top-four series beginning on September 25 is dependent on the Victorian government's announcements expected on Sunday. The HDFNL will release information early next week after they meet to discuss Sunday's announcements.

The HDFNL has set its season conclusion date for October 3. Unlike the WFNL, the league voted against the possibility of playing just a top-two grand final.

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