THE Mininera and District Football League gets underway this weekend, with the league electing for a later start and minimal mid-season breaks to balance it out.

The league has one major change earmarked for the 2022 season, which was expected to be confirmed at a board meeting on Wednesday night.

League president, Dale Bruns said the league was set to introduce a new card to try and curb umpire abuse during games.

“We are looking at bringing in a green card, in line with the pushback of AFL with abuse against umpires,” he said.

“The card will be used prior to yellow and red cards and the difference is the player can be replaced, so it doesn’t punish the team as such.

“It gives them (umpires) an extra tool in their belt if there is a bit of abuse.

“We haven’t decided the detail of length of time off the ground, we will discuss with the presidents and it could be 10 or 15 minutes.”

It is Bruns’ first season at the helm and with COVID interruptions expected to be minimal, compared to the past two years, excitement is building ahead of Saturday’s opening games.

The league has worked hard to get a contingent of Western District Umpires Association officials for games with the hope 100 per cent of senior games will be accounted for without the need for club umpires.

An expanded Under-16.5 competition is also a big positive with eight of the 12 clubs set to field junior teams this year.

“From a president’s point of view, the board understands how much time and effort goes into the Under-16s,” Bruns said.

“We couldn’t be more thankful for the people involved to all the clubs who have juniors and the ones who don’t, the time they are putting in to trying to get something going.

“It is exciting stuff and the atmosphere at each game which has juniors, it just changes it so much.”

Numbers are mixed throughout with some clubs fielding full benches and some clubs struggling to field a full team, but Bruns expects the teams to get on the park each week.

Some clubs will also be required to play home games at neutral venues.

The other concern going into the 2022 season is the reserves.

“Reserves are going to struggle this year with numbers, looking at the rule book we may need to drop it to 16-a-side,” Bruns said.

With just two sleeps until the first game, Bruns is excited for his first season as president.

“I can’t wait to make it all happen,” he said.

“The off-season is a long time between drinks.

“I am learning as we go and we have checklists we are putting together.

“I have got a great board and we have segregated into different areas which makes it easier for club presidents to deal with the boards.

“I think the biggest issue the league is facing is the new platform, playhq, it has got everyone a bit worried.”

Lismore-Derrinallum is taking its turn as administrative club of the Mininera and District Netball Association for 2022 with Sheree Horspole this year’s president.