The AFL will resume on Thursday, June 11, with teams split across three regions to make allowances for different state border restrictions, CEO Gillon McLachlan has confirmed.
After a stalemate with state governments in South Australia and in particular Western Australia refusing to waive the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for persons arriving back in the state, the AFL will set up hubs in the Gold Coast for the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Dockers, Port Adelaide Power and Adelaide Crows. Games in Queensland will be played at both the Gabba in Brisbane and Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium.
Victorian teams will remain in Victoria with the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants to fly in and fly out of the state when required.
All teams will return to training next week, with contact training to resume on May 25. However the two South Australian teams will have to relocate quickly in order to resume practice after the state government prohibited contact training until June 8. The Western Australian teams will remain in Perth for pre-season training before moving to Queensland ahead of their Round 2 game.
“Today is a significant step in getting footy back for everyone… we know as this situation continues to evolve we have to be agile and continue to adapt as necessary,” McLachlan said.
“Importantly we must not place any burden on the public health system.”
Teams will be tested regularly for COVID-19 once training resumes – twice a week – after teams began testing for the virus this week. All players, umpires and matchday staff will undergo education sessions on the protocols they’ll need to follow to keep the season running.
In a statement released today, the AFL revealed the key points of those protocols:
The use of the Gold Coast hub is clearly not the best solution for the AFL which tried desperately to have as normal a home and away season as it could.
Instead it’s been forced to restart using the Gold Coast base and the four teams only able to play each other, plus local Queensland teams the Suns and Lions, in those hubs for four rounds.
A fixture list for those rounds will be released in the next ten days next week, although it’s been reported that the derby between the Dockers and Eagles will be held back for later in the season. McLachlan confirmed the draw for the rest of the year will be released in blocks of four to six rounds.
It’s a wait and see approach in the hope that restrictions will be further eased in all Australian states and territories in the next month before announcing future fixtures.
Importantly, as far as the travelling players are concerned, McLachlan confirmed they’ll be allowed to have their families in the hubs as long as they’re following strict protocols.
“The return to footy doesn’t mean the work is complete, we must continue to follow the advice of the governments.”
While no details have been released in regards to finals, McLachlan said they are still aiming for a four-week series to conclude with a grand final played in October.
Tez
Guest
Yes, why can we just test teams on arrival or just before boarding flight. Doesnt this prove you dont have the virus?? I dont understand why WA and SA gov insist that teams need 14 days isolation, especially now that there are very low cases around the country? They are not flying in from overseas. Completely over the top reaction. We could have avoided all this (hub scenario) if WA and SA gov took a more pragrmatic approach to this and let teams fly in with appropriate testing etc. Just need to trust the testing, or is Covid testing just a waste of time?
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
I watched some of the German Bundesliga's restart to its season and leg muscle injuries after the short training period was an issue for several teams. I believe it will be the same for the AFL (and NRL too) which is why this pre-resumption training should heavily focus on fitness. The teams will have a little less than 4 weeks to be ready for the AFL re-start.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I think a tight knit driven Victorian team will snag this one. Probably a Bulldogs type asterisk flag.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
He might do alright. Going out in a flash of glory. Just so long as he has been running and home gymn not donut eating. :silly:
DTM
Guest
Interesting. The way I read it is that Simmo is under the impression that the Eagles play 4 games in Qld then go back home. Maybe they have received an undertaking from the WA Govt that if all is well by mid July then they and Victorian teams can fly in/out of the state without quarantine (just guessing). The other possibility is that, having set the example, the WA and SA teams can expect the AFL to arrange for Victorian teams to relocate into hubs in their states for 6-7 weeks from mid July. I can see the possibility where 4 Vic teams go to WA, 4 go to SA and 2 go to NSW to meet up with GWS, Syd, Bris and GC. This would get the Vic teams out of Melbourne for the coldest months (surely they wouldn't complain too much about that?). This would seem to be a fair way to get us to about round 9 by the end of Aug. From there, hopefully normal fly in/out arrangements could be resumed if the state governments can have a national travel policy. Would mean finals in November but it looks like the 20/20 WC is not going ahead.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Does anyone know what the rules are for players restrictions for those that have relocated & for those that are stay at home?
sven
Roar Rookie
u do realize the afl is in it to make a quid for the organization (that is all the clubs) fairness as perceived by u or anyone else has sweet fa to do with it
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
As I said listen to all the podcasts and search a bit harder it's out there' but as it doesn't suit your myopic Richmond/Victoria viewpoint I doubt you've put in any effort, actually I reckon you've put in a Brett Sutton contain an outbreak level effort which is zero, people and the teams of WA actually care about football and the need to keep flaccid Vic sides afloat, it seems the sugar high nuffies of punt Rd only care about a dusty hairdo and a Bachar beard. We all are aware Richmond players care more about staying at home than taking part in a fair competition, the only thing sadder than the tigers is their supporters who defend George Pells connection to the club that ran decades
sven
Roar Rookie
yawn.... here we go again with this fabled 7 home games in a row moan
RT
Roar Rookie
I searched before I asked (didn't listen to every random podcast) and the only reference to anyone being childish was ex-footballers saying that in relation to McGowan's behaviour, which was fair. In terms of Richmond players I am well aware that they were some of the notable voices objecting to the worst case scenario as reported, but what I read was specifically around it being a bridge too far if players couldn't have families with them in a hub. I am sure they weren't the only ones or do you think other players were too intimidated to speak? Certainly I saw nothing as specific as you stated in terms of naming the players concerned or anyone saying they were childish, which is why I was genuinely interested to read what you claim has been reported. It sounds like you were exaggerating so don't bother. It seems the AFL listened anyway so I am sure all the players are happy as can be expected.
sven
Roar Rookie
bloke certainly looked he could play, shame we never got to see what he could do in the strongest comp. spose it wasnt the the be all & end all for everyone so fair enough
Nick
Roar Guru
Nope. There's no market for it overseas. At all.
sven
Roar Rookie
absolutely right docker, nothing to see here, u stay there & enjoy your southwark lagers & barossa valley
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I don't like either guy
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The headline doesn’t Seem to match the content. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-16/coronavirus-afl-west-coast-not-keen-on-travelling-to-victoria/12255948
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
If you need me to hold your hand I'm not going to, search all AFL related podcasts by journos and article from all states and you'll find it, don't be pampered or lazy and expect live to deliver to you. But you probably think it wasn't Richmond players who threatened to stand down for the year or other Melbourne based players, proof is only teams from the other two Aussie rules states have been hubbed in a place which has been payed for by the Qld govt. You've got no legs mate and it's rather sad considering the outbreaks in Victoria cotchin and Riewoldt threatened so poorly to stay there, go hang with a cedar meats employee rich and use your search bar occasionally.
RT
Roar Rookie
No I didn't think so.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Maybe. I think it goes back to my comment the other day.....Gil went to the Vic govt before he went to the Feds. They are in bed together....that’s also why he waited for the Vic govt to put forward there plan to open up the state before he announced the AFL plan. Pretty obvious really.
Seymorebutts
Guest
ha ha ha ha ..well played ;-)
Seymorebutts
Guest
Nice comment, they will have 4 of the best sides in the comp on their doorstep and the Banana benders wont be able to pop in and be part of it. Tragic, would have been a great way to build the profile of the game in the SE corner of QLD.