VFL confirm 2020 list rules and matchday information ahead of season start
AFL Victoria has today written to VFL clubs providing an update on the 2020 list rules and match day information for the 2020 Hard Yakka / Totally Workwear VFL Season.
The 2020 VFL Season will commence on Saturday 1 August and will consist of eight clubs with a seven-round season. The 2020 season will conclude with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation “Love the Game Finals Series” with the top four clubs competing in a three-week Finals Series.
The 2020 Senior List may comprise of up to a maximum of 48 players consisting of:
• Maximum of 40 Primary Listed players
• Minimum of 6 Development Listed players (players in their 19th year in 2020)
• Maximum of 2 Rookie Listed players
AFL-listed players are not permitted to participate in the VFL due to the AFL’s ‘Return to Play’ protocols currently in place. Aligned VFL Clubs (Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons & Sandringham) will have priority access to VFL-listed players currently contracted at an AFL Standalone Club (Collingwood, Essendon, Footscray, Geelong, North Melbourne, Northern Blues & Richmond). This period concluded on Wednesday 1 July 2020. VFL Standalone Clubs may recruit players contracted by AFL Standalone Clubs after Wednesday 1 July. All players recruited from AFL Standalone Clubs are for the 2020 VFL Season only, noting these players must be released by their current AFL Standalone Club.
VFL clubs can attract players from the NEAFL for the 2020 VFL Season only due to the 2020 NEAFL not proceeding, with the contract with the Aligned VFL Club or VFL Standalone Club to expire on 31 October 2020. These players must also be released by their respective NEAFL Clubs.
The match team sheet will include 24 Players including at least one development listed player. Each team will field 18 players with 6 interchange players. A player will be deemed eligible for the 2020 VFL Finals Series if the player remains on the VFL List once list alterations close on Thursday 10 September – prior to VFL Round 6.
Home and Away and VFL Finals Series Matches will consist of four quarters each to be 20 minutes, plus time on.
AFL Victoria will continue to meet with VFLW clubs to progress the 2020 VFLW Rebel Super Series for non-AFLW listed players with the series to be held in September.
“The VFL Competition will look different in 2020, but in consultation with all eight clubs, we have developed a model which enables a fair and equitable season for our fans, clubs, players, coaches and officials,” AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State League Competitions Tristan Salter said.
“Our primary focus for the 2020 VFL season is preparing to return to play in a safe environment. We are currently producing strict protocols to protect players, officials, staff and the wider public ahead of contact training and matches returning.”
“We will continue to follow the direction from the Victorian State Government and align with the return-to-play framework prepared by AFL Victoria.”
The 2020 fixture will be released in the next 10 days with the majority of VFL games streamed LIVE through the VFL app.