AFL coronavirus cabinet member Eddie McGuire says the league is considering a plan to restart the 2020 season in four hubs based in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.
The AFL, which reduced its regular season to 17 rounds on the eve of the opening match, has joined the growing trend of sports across the globe to consider extreme measures in uncertain times.
The competition is suspended at least until May 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
One plan under AFL consideration is to have all 18 teams based in one quarantined location.
Another proposal, made public by Collingwood president McGuire on Triple M on Monday, would have six teams based in both Perth and Adelaide, and another three in both Hobart and Launceston.
The teams would stay in hotels and train at state league facilities, while playing matches in a round-robin format.
But McGuire’s plan is entirely dependent on the states in question being given the green light to lift certain coronavirus restrictions before the likes of Victoria and New South Wales.
The AFL is in regular contact with the relevant government and health authorities as it monitors developments.
“That is something that is being seriously looked at and discussed and those three states in particular might just be able to get the season started a little earlier than we might otherwise,” McGuire said on Triple M on Monday.
The AFL Players’ Association is committed to working with the AFL to ensure the reworked 153-game season, plus finals, goes ahead when possible.
But one potential stumbling block with proposals to play in quarantined hubs is the amount of time players are asked to spend away from their homes and families.
AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking, speaking to The Age, suggested the league has not yet contemplated how the finals series will look in 2020.
He said all 18 AFL clubs will be given a mini pre-season of three weeks before games are again played for points, although this could become four weeks if the shutdown drags on longer.
The most important deadline for Hocking is the final week of April, when a call will be made as to whether clubs should plan to resume after May 31.
“There is no certainty around any of that (quarantine hubs), if you have a look at where some of those major competitions in other parts of the world sit. Whilst they may be exploring it, there is still a lot up in the air,” he said.
“It is just part of how you set up a fixture that is the important part, the fixture is the number one and from there, how do you execute and deliver the fixture? That is where we are currently.”
Sydney coach John Longmire said on Monday his club was open to any plan that could help the AFL season resume.
“We’re open to anything. I know the NRL is talking about something similar up here, going into hubs and being open to having multiple games over short periods of time,” Longmire told SEN.
“We’re open to anything really, we want to get the game going again.”
S Earl
Guest
No actually o have an idea that is perhaps the most ridiculous: Three teams take the field in each game, three sets of goals on a circular field, two defenders on each forward, get thru the season 50% quicker. (Takes bow) I pitched this to the AFL years ago as a pre-season comp.
Beni Iniesta
Guest
Through a process of quarantine as required. That is pretty obvious. Did you know in Victoria there are now around 450 Active Cases of COVID-19? Down from about 620 a week ago. That's a drop of 150 in a week. Another three weeks of that and Victoria is sure to be the main hub.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Not sure States will ease back until the crisis is over. Why would they ease back and allow people from other States in if the virus is still infecting people.
DTM
Guest
"Bottom line, there will be no AFL or NRL until there is a working vaccine for Covid 19, simples. There’s no whats, ifs or buts about it." They may never find a vaccine for Covid 19. Even if they do develop a vaccine, it will be 12-18 months before a sufficient number of people are vaccinated. This virus is here to stay, we need to deal with that reality. A vaccine will save lives but it will not eliminate the virus (just as we have not eliminated other viruses).
Beni Iniesta
Guest
Like in 1919 with the Spanish Flu you mean?
Beni Iniesta
Guest
That's the point. Governments in certain states will definitely ease back on restrictions earlier than NSW same likely earlier than Victoria. This isn't talking about now - but in two month's time!
AxeMaster
Roar Rookie
Bottom line, there will be no AFL or NRL until there is a working vaccine for Covid 19, simples. There's no whats, ifs or buts about it. The Gov't will decide and the sporting leagues must follow all and any restrictions. They can explore as many options as they want but until the labs say they have found a solution, adios sport for 2020.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
Yes it is fair. but the hubs should be Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria. and not Tasmania. That means the teams like Collingwood and Hawthorn who do not travel should be travelling to WA and SA more. And Let the more strapped for cash clubs stay so they can build more cash to save the club. Yes the Hub is good Idea but someone more independent of the AFl Clubs to be on the Corona virus Committee and not Eddie McGuire .
Big Bear
Guest
I quite enjoyed AFLX
WCE
Roar Rookie
dumbest idea since AFLX
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Well Paul our players and indeed supporters are quite familiar with prison stripes.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Why don't we have SOO Carnival? The 2nd Tier states, NT, NSW/ACT, Qld & Tas, play for the right to be the 4th team in a subsequent Top Tier with WA, SA & Vic. In a home n away format for both tiers. 1st n 2nd play a home n away Final. ---- We could do that well or have a half-baked season that'll will be a compromise as bad as a Mini-Moke. (Cold as a bike, slow as a car)
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But l love Marcia.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I’d take a Gold Coast v Richmond at the moment just to watch some footy even though Tigers would win by 120 and they’d be talking Brownlows for Pickett
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Unlike yourself I don't think my government should make decisions based in AFL being played and the benefit has to be for the majority not just professional sportsmen. It wouldn't be a great economic benefit at all rich as any risk management would realise the risk vs reward is to high. Again when the VFL finds itself in desperation they want to screw the other states,
DTM
Guest
I think you are missing the point. Like it or not, Australian Rules Football is a large part of the Australian psyche. Millions of Australians have been told to stay at home and for the last few weeks their entertainment choices are Mario Cart, scrabble or watching re runs of the Brady Bunch (maybe that's overstating it but you get my drift). To be able to offer them a live broadcast of their favourite sport will lift the spirit of the people significantly and encourage them to endure a little more social distancing (which we are told will be good for the health of the nation). The other benefit is that our sport, our clubs and our elite sportspeople will not go broke waiting for the fog to lift completely. The AFL and the various state Governments have a responsibility to try and make it work. If there is a case of Covid 19 within one of the groups, yes that group will need to shut down but there is no reason the others cant continue. I'd rather watch Gold Coast vs North Melbourne than nothing (apologies to GC and NM fans).
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
It's not silly if the state CMO okays it. At some point, at least one of the state/territories will roll the restrictions back to level 2. At that point, it becomes logical to proceed with it. I'm not sure why people think the governing bodies shouldn't be planning for that eventuality. In fact, it would be negligent on the part of the governing bodies to not be planning for that eventuality.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Might have to head up Renmark myself then !
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Pies should be playing on Norfolk Island, that was where we traditionally sent the very worst of the worst
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I haven’t heard of that, Pete, but it wouldn’t surprise me. One thing for sure is we’re certainly doing better than you Victorians in managing this, and that isn’t something we can say too often :silly: