The Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast, West Coast and Fremantle are within the technique of rapidly relocating to Melbourne, with 16 of the AFL’s 18 groups to be based mostly in Victoria as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
The league, reacting to lockdowns in south-east Queensland and Perth, is within the technique of rejigging its round-16 fixture.
Thursday’s sport between the Suns and Richmond has been moved from Metricon Stadium to Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium; whereas Fremantle’s conflict with Carlton, initially slated for Perth’s Optus Stadium, can even have to be shifted.
Sydney and GWS are already based mostly in Melbourne, having packed and flown out final week due to Bondi’s rising COVID-19 cluster.
Australia’s coronavirus outbreaks and ensuing border closures symbolize the AFL’s greatest fixturing problem since final yr, when clubs had been shuttled into south-east Queensland hubs.
AFL chief govt Gillon McLachlan made it clear to gamers earlier this month that hubs had been a final resort, including he envisaged “two, three weeks (away from home), max”.
Sydney’s two clubs had been hopeful of returning residence after spherical 17 however that’s more and more unlikely, with the Swans making an attempt to make preparations for extra gamers to hitch the present group in Melbourne.
Brisbane plan to return residence after Saturday’s conflict with Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, though gamers have been informed to pack for a number of weeks.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk introduced on Tuesday that south-east Queensland was getting into a three-day lockdown.
The AFL confirmed quickly after that the Lions, the Suns, the Dockers and the Eagles would all fly out on Tuesday.
“The four teams travelling today will fly to Victoria via charter flights and will be Covid-tested on arrival and isolate until they each receive a negative result,” AFL fixturing boss Travis Auld stated.
“We will proceed to stay adaptable as the season progresses.
“We will work closely with state governments, health officials, our clubs and players to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone in the game.”
Brisbane had been already to planning to fly to Melbourne on Wednesday for their sport towards the Crows due to South Australia’s choice to shut their border to Queensland.
West Coast had been as a result of journey to Victoria this week earlier than Sunday’s conflict with Sydney, which has been relocated to Geelong.
Meanwhile, North Melbourne gamers and employees have been cleared to return to coaching after testing destructive for COVID-19.
The Kangaroos had been isolating after visiting Melbourne airport on the similar time as a flight attendant, who later examined constructive for coronavirus.
© AAP
