AFL chairman Richard Goyder says Adelaide’s training protocol breach “probably didn’t help” the league’s attempts to secure training and travel exemptions for the Crows and Port Adelaide.
A group of 16 Crows players broke AFL coronavirus protocols last week during a training session conducted while quarantining in the Barossa Valley.
SA chief health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said the training breach had nothing to do with the decision to deny exemptions, but Goyder conceded it hadn’t helped the situation.
“It probably didn’t help the internal conversations in South Australia,” Goyder told ABC Grandstand radio.
“At the end of the day (the breach) was two times eight minutes and it was a stupid thing.
“It’s happened, we’ve dealt with it and the protocols from here on are pretty clear.”
Assistant coach Ben Hart received a six-week suspension while the 16 players were given suspended one-match bans.
Goyder defended the sanctions and said they’d been delivered while the league was investigating potential breaches from other clubs.
“You’ve got to look at the context, what happened and the time in which it happened … it was the appropriate penalty,” Goyder said.
“At the same time we were investigating a number of other instances of potential breaches from clubs – I hasten to say investigating.”
The Crows are set to share a flight with Port Adelaide when they relocate to the Gold Coast.
They plan to depart on Sunday May 24 and begin full-contact training the next day.
Adelaide’s head of football Adam Kelly told ABC Grandstand the full list would head to the Gold Coast, where they’ll be in the same resort as their fierce rivals.
“Just when you thought things couldn’t get any more unusual, you’re sharing facilities with Port Adelaide and I’m sure they’d be feeling the same way,” Kelly said.
“The reality is that all 18 clubs have been really collaborative off the field. We’ll be competitive as ever on the field – we can assure our fans of that.
“We’re not really sure how the accommodation and facility provisions will be set up and how regularly we’ll cross paths with Port Adelaide – but I’m sure we will.”
Jeff
Roar Rookie
In terms of playing surface, I'd certainly like to see Perth in the mix. India went into total lock down mid-March and it was chaotic. I believe they are still in a nationwide lock down. But even then, social distancing in either big cities or rural villages is challenging. At this point in time - and I'd imagine for a few months from now - being any where in Australia would be viewed as a god-send compared to being in India in terms of potential exposure and I doubt even going to NSW were there to be outbreaks, would be seen as a comparative concern. I imagine even at other grounds, there would be limited interaction of the playing/support group with the general population. The country is currently reporting as 100,000 cases and still growing with more per day than the day before. But being India, the reporting of - and even presentation to medical clinics of - cases will be way way under the actual number of cases. Adelaide and Perth are easily the best stadiums for spectator experience, though the SCG has its own charm. The MCG has little going for it other than it's big. Actually too big for most cricket events.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Depends on how seriously the Indians are taking the outbreak. NSW may have a second wave pretty shortly when they're lifting lockdown while the Virus is still in the community, so I can't see anyone actually wanting to go there if that happens. Maybe Perth and Adelaide can split the tests, they're the two best stadiums in the country anyway. (Cue Vic outrage, but it's true)
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
SA love a line from Goyder.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
I do not know why the Cricket was mention when Richard Goyder< Lets hope the Cricket gets sorted out at the time the Cricket is about the Start. Now we talking about AFl. Adelaide have taken fine now lets get on with the Football. Stop talking about Adelaide Crow's Breach. . It is getting no where if Keep talking about the Breach. Anyway, I hope Adelaide will finish in the Top Eight to silence the Critics. After 17 Rounds the top could look like this? 1 West Coast Eagles 2 Richmond 3 Essendon. 4 Geelong, 5 Adelaide. 6 Brisbane. 7 Port Adelaide 8 Fremantle. I say it could be like that. With my Might Eagles taking the 2020 AFl premiership to Western Australia.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
It's not an opinion, just observing the facts as the "story" has unfolded. And good on them for pushing their own interests/agenda. But no one else outside of SACA (media aside) is pushing it. Hazelwood is the only other non-SACA individual I can recall making comment - and he was asked to make comment. Again, the BCCI has no position, there has just been a comment made by Treasurer Chaudhry in response to a media enquiry, notwithstanding AAP - who asked Chaudhry the question via Reuters - is reporting that comment as "India is firming on the idea". Not sure I have seen any comment from Cricket Australia either. The bigger challenge will be whether Indian players are permitted to enter Australia. If they are, I expect the Tests to be played in multiple venues to ensure varying playing conditions. If there remains concern re cases/clusters in Australia, I very much doubt there would be international arrivals allowed. If WA doesn't indicate lifting its border restrictions soon, I expect Perth will be the city to miss out on one of the available four Tests, should the tour go ahead.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
obviously if everything is back to normal,this wont happen,only time will tell ,if there is still clusters around etc etc,and india is happy with everything,the media blitz thing with travis head etc you can have your opinion on that,because I am personal friends with his father and mother,grew up playing footy with simon even lived with them until travis was born,so I know a bit about that
Jeff
Roar Rookie
It's a confected story. SACA started this last month. Pushed it hard with a mini-media blitz with SA captain Travis Head providing supporting comments. A single BCCI official (the Treasurer) was asked by AAP this week what his views were on the proposal, to which he said inter-alia "if it has to happen, so be it, we could work with it". SACA then rolled out Head again to provide further comments (actually just what he said least month) to keep the story rolling along. All Tests will not be at Adelaide Oval. It's a SACA-led beat up. Leaving aside how nonsensical it would be, to have the India side singled out as a group of people that had to be locked into a bio-security sphere, never to venture beyond the perimeter of Adelaide Oval/Hotel for 6 weeks - in December/January mind you - when domestic sport in Australia already proposes having teams from different football codes travelling around and playing other teams at multiple venues, with most teams living with their families at home, from June onwards. Out of interest, how does South Australia achieve the outcome of keeping its borders locked down, whilst also allowing international arrivals?
Maxy
Roar Rookie
something great might come out of this for south Australia,football season bit of a shambles,hubs ,no crowds ,fairness of competition...etc etc.What im reading is india is sitting back taking notice and apparently impressed with south australias tough border restriction rules,silver lining being all tests could be at Adelaide oval...WOW....id be keeping those borders locked down,india are a very powerful cricket nation,usually get what they want