LOCAL football finals will see “significantly lower” crowds this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, with the last games of the season set to be held at Freeling for the second consecutive year.

The Barossa Light & Gawler Football Association finals plan was released earlier this week, with both the preliminary finals and grand finals to be held at the Freeling Football Club on Saturday September 19, and September 26 respectively.

The days will be subject to strict compliance of the COVID Management Plan which, if approved, will allow up to 2000 spectators at the ground at any time – up from the 1000 that is currently accepted.

League president Mick Brien said that figure is significantly lower than crowds of previous grand final days, and asked people to follow the instructions laid out.

“Unfortunately that 2000 figure is the limit we have – we need to comply with the government regulations,” he said.

“Spectators are encouraged to arrive just before the game they are coming to see, and to leave as soon as reasonable afterwards.”

Also, patrons will not be permitted into the venue until they have completed a contact tracing record.

To speed up that process, people can visit form.jotform.com/202447078301853 and print out the form for the preliminary final to be handed in upon payment at the gate, or for the grand final, the sheet can be found at form.jotform.com/202448105894862 – information from these forms will be destroyed after five weeks.

There will also be an option to simply give your details to assigned contact tracing officials on the day.

No cars will be permitted inside the venue without an official BLGFA pass, and spectators will not be allowed on the playing surface at any time throughout the day.

Conditions of entry include ensuring you have no symptoms, maintaining 1.5 metres of physical distancing, practice good hygiene, remain seated whilst consuming alcohol, and follow directions of staff and official volunteers at all times.

Freeling Football Club president Craig Trestrail said the decision was made by all clubs to utilise Freeling due to the lack of wear and tear brought on by the withdrawal of the A-grade and reserves sides for the 2020 season, as well as the sufficient facilities with up to six change rooms.

“It was put to all the club delegates at a meeting and they all voted in favour for the finals to be hosted at Freeling,” he said.

“Each club will be providing volunteers for both weekends, and whatever money we make gets split between all the clubs.

“Obviously there’s some challenges in place with crowds and everything that comes with the pandemic, and we’re certainly not going to be getting the numbers we had last year.

“But it is still the ‘big dance’, so to speak, and if the weather holds up the way it has recently then it’ll be a great day for the whole league and for the Freeling locals too.”