AFL players will be forced to take pay cuts as the entire industry braces to “tighten their belts” amid the coronavirus crisis hitting the world.
The season is not even certain to start as planned on Thursday night, with the AFL to make a decision on Tuesday about Round 1.
When confirming on Monday that the 2020 fixture would be slashed from 23 rounds to 17, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said every sector of the league will suffer financially as a result of COVID-19.
Players will reportedly be asked to take pay cuts of up to 20 per cent during a shortened season.
“We’ve obviously had those discussions with the PA (AFL players association) to say there’s going to be an amount of pain to be felt right across the industry,” McLachlan said.
“Everyone will have to tighten their belts. It’s clubs, it’s the AFL and that obviously includes the players.”
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said he would be happy to to give up some of his wage for the sake of the AFL.
“We should find a fairly consistent skim… whatever percentage off the top that’s going to help fill the hole,” Buckley told Nine’s Footy Classified.
All 18 teams will play each other once in the coronavirus-affected program, with the first four rounds of games to run as scheduled before a new draw is created for the rest of the competition.
Richmond and Carlton are due to open the season behind closed doors at the MCG on Thursday night, but that remains in limbo.
McLachlan said if one player tested positive for coronavirus then the AFL will shut down completely for at least 14 days, possibly longer.
State leagues, including the VFL, SANFL, WAFL, NEAFL and TSL – as well as their associated women’s competitions – have been postponed until at least May 31.
The AFLW has two rounds to go before finals and the future of its season is expected to be decided on Tuesday.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
I have even gone as far as cancelling my fox sports subscription,sent the box back yesterday,with the cancellation of state leagues across Australia,even if afl goes ahead what happens with the rest of the list,cant play anywhere,will put back young players development ,get a few injuries hard to promote players cause will have no form behind them,think the season will be a bit of a shambles
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Good to see you back Cat. I’ve gone the full circle now and written off the 2020 season, it seems it won’t happen.
Al
Guest
People are losing their livelihoods yet these privileged players whose only talent is kicking an egg around refuse to take a 20% pay cut for the benefit of their own league and their sport. Local competitions have been suspended until May yet these greedy reprobates don't want to compromise one inch.
Cat
Roar Guru
This isn't going to suddenly end in may either. This will continue long beyond that. This is only the start.
WCE
Roar Rookie
I see this unfortunate plague creating massive problems for the state leagues like the WAFL. some WAFL clubs are only just barely surviving as it is and if they postpone the games until end of May with no revenue this could prove disastrous. it looks to be unavoidable but this could spell the end of some clubs which would be the saddest day in Australian sport , lets cross fingers, pray and hope for the best