IT IS unlikely that the Central Highlands Football League will be granted a full-strength liquor licence during next year's finals.
Clubs met with police recently to discuss their options in the wake of last year's grand final in which an alcohol-fuelled brawl erupted at Eureka Stadium.
To increase their chances of being allowed any bar services during next year's finals, the league has devised a draft 10-point plan in which only light beer would be served, and wet and dry areas would be mapped out to prevent people drinking in trouble-spots.
At last year's grand final between Daylesford and Hepburn a person in the crowd allegedly refused attempts by police to remove him from the ground for being abusive.
Chaos ensued when other officers intervened and people in the crowd allegedly started throwing beer cans.
Two police officers were injured and five people aged 21, 24, 38, 46 and 50 were arrested over the incident.
CHFL secretary and manager Diane Ryan said the chances of having a full-strength licence issued were virtually nil.
"It's highly unlikely they (the clubs) would get a full strength licence," she said.
Creswick Football Netball Club club president Jarrod New said the final decision would rest in hands of the Liquor Licensing Commission, which the club would apply to next year.
He said that instead of a full-strength licence, clubs would be looking at a restricted one.
Mr New said the proposed 10-point plan was a way of demonstrating to the commission that the league was putting its best foot forward to manage the issue.
"My understanding is unless we adhere to these proposals we will not get a licence issued," Mr New said.
"The Liquor Licensing Commission is very aware of alcohol among sporting groups at the moment," he said.
"It gets back to clubs being proactive and responsible."