After navigating through lockdown and border closures, the Limestone Coast Football Association has reached grand final day and is satisfied with its 2020 season.

Before COVID-19 a 14 round home and away season was pencilled in with all seven clubs also playing the traditional four-week pre-season cup beforehand.

However, coronavirus restrictions ensured Portland could not participate and the season was trimmed down to a 10-round affair.

Since kick off in July, LCFA president Eric Nieto said everything had gone to plan.

“We are extremely happy with how the season has gone,” he said.

“There have been no hiccups whatso- ever.

“We have managed to play all of the home-and-away rounds and also enjoy a great finals series.”

But Nieto conceded the 2020 season had not been without its difficulties.

“Our challenges were no different to any other sport because COVID and the government controlled our season,” he said. “

There were changes every day and we were uncertain what was going to happen on the following day.

“We were lucky in South Australia we had low cases so we could finish our season.”

The association was always confident play would return when rebuilding its 2020 season and Nieto said all goals had been achieved.

“We sure did (meet all of our expectations),” he said.

“We always had the expectation of playing and never thought we were not going to play – it was just a question of when we could start it.

“The only problem was the fact we could not have Portland come over, so that shortened our season with no bye.”

Despite the reduced number of teams and games, the on-field standard has not dropped.

Fans have been entertained with countless goals, saves and tackles and Nieto was impressed by the players’ efforts across all levels.

“The skill level definitely has not dropped from previous years and if anything it has increased,” he said.

“Teams like Blue Lake have a great Under 17’s side, while International and Centrals have both made lots of finals.

“This shows we have good skills at a young age level, which can then flow on into seniors.”

Now with the grand final on the horizon, Nieto is excited for the future.

With Portland happy to return to the LCFA when possible, he said there were already some exciting plans in place for 2021.

“I think we accomplished a big thing to finish the season and it gives us time to start working to make next year bigger and better,” he said.

“Once again we are controlled by what happens with COVID next year.

“We are also in the early stages of planning on bringing LCFA and SEWFA (South East Women’s Football Association) together to have the men and women play in the one association.

“It is something we are working towards and could be our biggest challenge.”