AFL fixture boss Travis Auld says quarantine hubs – whether that’s one hub featuring all 18 teams or multiple bases – appear to be a necessity if the season is to resume.
Players, including AFLPA president Patrick Dangerfield, have recently warmed to the concept of hubs after initially opposing the idea.
“It feels like the only way we’re going to get our season started, ” Auld told the Working Through It podcast.
“It might not be the way we complete our season but it certainly feels like the way we need to get it started.”
Auld flagged the possibility of the AFL using either a single 18-team base, or setting up multiple hubs featuring a set number of teams.
“We’ve got a few options in front of us from one hub with 18 teams together, playing at maybe two, three stadiums for a season,” he said.
“Then there’s an opportunity to have maybe up to three hubs – so six teams in each hub, located in different states, playing out of traditional home-and-away venues.”
(AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
Auld said the AFL’s return would be governed by two key sectors.
“We’re in the hands of government and the community as to when they think it’s right for us to start again,” he said.
“All we can be is as best prepared as we can, and have the industry fully aligned – clubs, players, broadcasters and venues – so if we get the opportunity to restart then we’re ready to go.”
Auld said the AFL, its clubs and players now had a clearer idea of how the hubs would function.
“Early on there was a lack of information because we simply didn’t have it,” he said.
“Players were getting asked questions about what a hub looks like and what they’d think about a hub and if you don’t have all the information it’s difficult to understand how we’re going to deal with some of the concerns they’ve had.
“We’ve had a few conversations with the players.
“They’re starting to understand it a bit better and they’re starting to get a bit restless, so I think they’re keen to play.
“A hub really is a term for how do we put our players in an environment where we can personally prioritise their health and safety, but also not be a burden on the community?
“We’re very aware that there’s a bigger picture here.
“We want to complement what’s happening, not be a distraction and certainly not be a burden on the health system. A hub format allows us to do that.”
Jorge of Brisvegas
Roar Rookie
QLDers don’t need to go anywhere except for the snow LOL.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Rich typing a early morning reply is embarrassing yourself, so now not only do I lack decency but I’m also a nasty pastie who is a backwater westerner who should never have opinions…btw my family lives me and loves meso you don’t matter just crawl back to your zoom dinner parties and be that pseudo intellectual your trying to get me to say you are,it’s become as embarrassing as having George Pell as your clubs patron mate. Hi I’m rich and I know so much more than other people, seriously mate leave high school sometime soon.
RT
Roar Rookie
Yes I do get to say it and I did. I get that I might have sounded bored but you dance around the fundamental issue I have in that you categorically state I don't care about any consequences of a hub gone wrong. I am not sure who is "only asking for the minimum" but it is not me. If it is the AFL I don't know what they have asked for, but has it been published? Enough said on that, if you can't acknowledge that I know more than you muse about what I think then I am not going to comment again. I noticed you abusing some Rugby League follower on another article about sport resuming. You really do have a nasty streak. What I didn't notice is you referring to other sports resuming as NSW selfishness or Qld selfishness or some other state. The fact that all sports are looking at how they can resume and that WA is open to sport in its state (WA selfishness?) just goes to show the ridiculousness of your initial "Victorian selfishness" comment about the AFL looking at hubs. The AFL is simply acting like a business, like other sports. I do hope the governments keep them in check and believe they will. Otherwise I would not be open to sport returning either.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Nah sorry rich you don't get to say it and sorry you've come across as a bored person who isn't thinking beyond what would relieve it but then again I'm just a west Australian yokel who lacks decency and has a big chip on my shoulder who has no ability to comprehend the massive bias people have. You can say what you like but I don't want a hub in WA and while I can't travel to say Perth and see my 18 yr old son for what is likely to be another 6+ months or my brother in law can't get back from Australia to Copenhagen for his job or even my local servo women who has to go to extreme safety measures as her hubby has just finished chemo that anyone who thinks bring back footy when it's met safe levels which is only asking for the minimum is being selfish than demanding it is beyond safe for all members of society because no industry is above anyone during these times especially extremely liquid ones like the AFL is.
RT
Roar Rookie
Yes I do get to say you are out of line when you are repeatedly misrepresenting me in what I think or feel, when I have explained the truth numerous times. That is what is out of line, not having different opinions about whether or not the AFL should explore (a) hub(s) or whether this exploration is Victorian selfishness. Saying you are not a decent person may be going too far, but the decent thing to do is to accept what I say about how I feel. I find it offensive that you say categorically that I don't care about the consequences of a hub gone wrong. Nothing I have written suggests this and if it did that it was poorly written or misunderstood or both. Based on the latest I have read it looks like sport resuming is a possibility but they have to tick off a lot first (which is all I have ever said) and it could all go belly up which I think is that you feel. I don't share your opinion that we can't trust the AFL or CMOs to make the best decision, which is fine. We will see what happens and I hope they make the right decision but keep in mind the right decision can come with a weighed up risk.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
C’mon mate you don’t get to say I’m out of line for having an opinion nor to say whether I’m a decent person or not, you’ve decided what I mean because it suits a pre existing view that you have which is fine I’m obviously alot more thick skinned than yourself, ramifications are alot larger to society than what you’re tunnel visioned on so open your viewpoint and remove the blinkers.
RT
Roar Rookie
To be fair to Dangerfield (or to give him the benefit of any doubt) I think when he was first asked he was put on the spot a little, perhaps thinking more of his personal situation and his tune may have changed as he had time to reflect and/ or discuss with his AFLPA constituents.
RT
Roar Rookie
Matti you are way out of line. Any decent person would accept what I have said at face value and what I have said all along, that if the experts say it is safe to have hubs then I am all for it. You have a different opinion which is fine, but don't say I want hubs regardless of the ramifications. It is simply not true. Pretty p155 poor mate.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I simply don’t care about anyone’s opinion of how low the bar is Doc as long as there’s a flag hanging off the end.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Yeah. And wouldn't the South Australians put a large asterist next to the premiership . . . if it was won by a Victorian club!
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Oh I forgot I am against a wa hub I've said that before but I reiterate that while our border is closed as it will be for 6 mths I do not want a hub in WA as it's against everything we've tried to achieve, the AFL doesn't deserve special treatment. So sorry to make your crown jewel argument devoid of any fact. Your bored and you want footy back regardless of ramification which to me is quite the selfish attitude mate.
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
I like your sentiment….however scratch out WC and put in Freo thanks :happy: fans drinking beer instead of chardonnay.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
That's a very very low bar. But if floats your leaky black and white boat,so be it. # Rowdy South Australians go to Thailand. West Australians go to Bali. Those from New South Wales holiday in Fiji. Victorians go as far as the Gold Coast, but then they're not used to travel
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Sort of like the 2016 final series umpiring for the bullies, averaged over 10 more frees per match than their opponents, one might say the AFL gifted them a cup to stay solvent unlike Fitzroy managed matto
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
he also said the outbreak at the Albert Rd shows that it's possible in June but that's with everything going perfect but shouldn't be banked on.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Sort of like freo, crows, port, bris?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
So if Fremantle win the flag Jonboy you won’t claim it? Fine. I’ll claim and celebrate forever a 2020 Pies flag in a ten game season with 8 minute quarters and one play off on the Yackandanda recreation reserve against the Suns because the rest of the sides were kicked out by Covid.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
We may never have a vaccine.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yeah TTF but you’ve had two flags in three years. Most of us have a cup that is not already full. Same for you Matti. You can still taste the sweetness of a recent flag. I’ll take a shambles season if that’s all we can get.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Not wanting to get dragged into this argument here, but the Vic chief medical officer said today that a June restart would likely be okay provided the numbers continue to be promising.