As Melbourne continues to endure its sixth lockdown, the final chapter of the 2021 NBL1 South season is in severe doubt.

Just days before Mount Gambier Pioneers men and women were listed to play a home game against Melbourne Tigers last Saturday night, Victoria’s state grounded to a halt.

The Pioneers were hoping to play the fixture at Portland, but the lockdown left them with no choice, but to watch another home game slip away with prospect of this weekend’s double header against Dandenong and Eltham also expected to not go ahead.

Castec Rural Pioneers men’s coach Richard Hill said the ladder positions may be decided on win percentage with a call from NBL1 yet to be made.

Mount Gambier currently shares the same figure of 69.20% with Waverley Falcons and Kilsyth Cobras, but sit fifth on the ladder – agonisingly one spot shy of a home final.

“The league made the decision two weeks ago that any games not played will be called a ‘wash out’ and the ladder will be based on your winning percentage,” he said.

“If there is any prospect of playing at some stage that may happen, but we probably wont play the next round either with two Melbourne teams scheduled to come here.

“There is not much we can do.

“It puts things into perspective and makes you realise that sport is a big part of our lives, but not that important.”

After Mount Gambier was forced to watch on as the NBL1 South season resume albeit briefly at the start of the month, Hill feels for the mental state of his players and the long-term health of the club.

“I just feel for the players because we were working unbelievably hard,” he said.

“We were prepared to play last Saturday night, but I gave the guys the weekend off because they are sick of training without playing.

“I am now very worried about the financial side of things for the club because we have only had five home games in two years, but I am sure we will work our way through it.”