OPINION: Sports editor Cameron Newbold gives his take on the the season like no other

The season like no other. Never did anyone expect that round one would not be played until July, yet here we are. It feels great to have footy back. As sports editor of this newspaper, the last few months have been tough and like no other period I’ve ever experienced. On Saturday there will six happy clubs and that’s what is important. The weight of winning premierships, having the best players and the competitive side that comes with any sort of footy has to take a back seat in 2020. That’s not to say when the teams run across the white line and the ball is thrown up, that it won’t be fierce competition. But we should be celebrating just being able to play footy with your mates on the weekend. The current predicament in Victoria is dire and another reason why having footy back here in the Great Southern is a win in itself. The six league coaches of the Great Southern Football League clubs this week were consistent in their message. The similar theme with them all — it’s just good to have footy back. Usually pre-season interviews are spent chatting about team changes, game plans, how close they are to winning the flag and general conversation about how the other teams look. That is not the case this time. This season is weird, wacky and hopefully wonderful. Regardless of your role in country footy, I’ve got no doubt being back in the footy mode this weekend will bring lots of joy. Of course there is still a season to be played and it will be fair dinkum. I don’t buy into the chatter around a compromised season. Each team has 10 home and away games and then a finals series to crown a premier. Despite a number of key losses, Royals look the team to beat after their premiership last season. I’m predicting a much closer season in terms of all six teams, however. This season should be an ideal opportunity for those who have struggled in previous years to close the gap. I like what I’m hearing from inside the Sharks and the list of inclusions at Denmark-Walpole makes a trip to McLean Park enticing. A new coach at North Albany, a youthful Mt Barker side and the addition of Matt Palfrey makes Railways an interesting prospect. There’s plenty to work with for an exciting couple of months ahead. I’m glad we have avoided a top-three finals system. I was worried when the two-week finals series was floated where the team on top qualifies directly into the grand finals. Finals matches and the pressure and atmosphere that comes with them, is what country footy is about. If we are playing fair dinkum for a premiership, no team should be gifted a grand final berth by finishing on top. Reverting back to a top-four system, give some of the “weaker” clubs some hope and belief. The finals system approved on Wednesday night will see first and fourth face off and the second and third-ranked teams clash, with the two winners progressing to play each other in the grand final. The next three months will be a lot of fun, hopefully all participants can enjoy footy being back.