NPL Tasmania clubs that had only last season vehemently opposed an extension to the season look set to have their wishes granted from changes backing traditional fixturing.
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Football Tasmania in 2019 introduced two new clubs to the competition but instead of a reduction of games from 21 to 18 rounds, a decision was reached to stretch out the season to 27 rounds to fall in line with the A-League.
The sudden withdrawal of Northern Rangers before the final fixture but on hearing plans of a 27-match season reduced the number of clubs down to nine with instead 24 matches but also three byes.
But following the spread of coronavirus pandemic and a further delays to the season kickoff, Football Tasmania chief executive Matt Bulkeley is more realistic of a competition to feature teams playing each other just twice over a home and away campaign.
"It really depends on when we could start first," he said.
"There will be a point in time where if we can't start before that point it almost certainly will have an impact on the amount of games that can be played - that's even if we had midweek games.
"It just depends on when we do start.
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"It could involve a slightly shorter season - that's one potential outcome - or it could involve more midweek games and it is most likely going to involve a later season now in terms of extending into the spring and potentially into the summer."
NPL clubs had anticipated to start on March 21, but that was shifted just three days out to April 14. That has been further postponed until May 31 after no signs of the virus dissipating any time soon.
Midweek fixtures would be limited to six matches should Launceston City, Riverside Olympic and Devonport City play their Northern derbies on Tuesdays or Wednesdays to curb long-distance travel and leave their clashes with Hobart teams to weekends.
A merger between Hobart Zebras and Clarence also allows for a 14-round season.
"We certainly want to work very closely with clubs, be in regular communication and seek their feedback on things like length of season, how many games they'd like and when have they got access to facilities until," Bulkeley said.
"That feedback is important and it allows us to have as many scenarios possible without having too many."
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