April 2 has been circled as the first round of football and netball according to the draw released on December 17 — but next year, Sundays are back in a major way.
In an attempt to remedy the umpire shortage experienced during the past season, each club will play one home Sunday game and one away Sunday game throughout 2022.
The first of these shapes up to be a mighty contest, with Girgarre facing Lancaster on the Sunday of round one.
It was announced 14 from a total 18 regular season rounds will host a minimum of one Sunday game, with KDL president Fraser Kerrins raring to enter what’s hoped to be an uninterrupted season.
“With two COVID-interrupted seasons, we are eager to see football and netball return in 2022,” he said.
“Our goal as a league is to hopefully see a new premier crowned in each grade of both football and netball for the first time since 2019.
“Sunday games will feature in most weeks. We understand the issues faced regarding umpire numbers this past season and introducing one or two games a week to be held away from the usual Saturday time slot is one way we can assist.”
The next major change has the traditional top six finals bracket opened up to an eight-team finals structure.
Premiers will be crowned over a five-round finals system, which is aimed at giving teams a greater chance of featuring in post season action.
“Next season is sure to be a memorable one after two COVID-interrupted seasons and with the introduction of the top eight, more clubs will have a chance at the premiership than ever before,” KDL league operations manager Julian Perta said.
“I am excited for what 2022 has in store for the KDL.”
The finals series is set to commence on August 20 with the grand final slated for September 17.
A full KDL fixture can be found on the league’s Facebook or Instagram page.
