Goldfields Football League turns to ASX to run live stock market league

Players might have hung up their boots amid COVID-19 concerns, but the Goldfields Football League is refusing to give up the weekend game.

An online field has been marked out to keep competition between the five senior clubs alive in a 20-week virtual league.

The clubs have drafted their teams from ASX-listed companies or stocks across five categories — large mineral companies; banks; commodities; tech companies; and major indices.

As in a regular footy season, clubs will face off in a weekly match determined by this season’s GFL fixtures.

If we get a season under way that’s great. If we don’t, at least we still have something to have a bit of fun with

The live stock market will determine the scoreline — the difference between the opening price of the share on a Monday and the closing price on a Friday will be calculated.

Whichever club holds the better-performing shares will be awarded four points, and percentage difference between the competing stocks is recorded to mirror the AFL ladder.

GFL chairman Lane Tomich said in “dire times” it was a way to inject a bit of fun into the week.

“All it is, is a bit of fun,” he said.

“There is no football to be played at the moment but the race is still on for the GFL premiership.

“If we get a season under way that’s great. If we don’t, at least we still have something to have a bit of fun with.”

Round one this weekend has Boulder facing up against Kalgoorlie and Kambalda playing Mines Rovers.

Results will be released this Saturday through the league’s Facebook page, on what would have been the opening round of the 2020 season.