Port Adelaide assistant coach Michael Voss is hopeful AFL clubs’ planned adherence to season restart protocols will convince the South Australian government to further ease restrictions sooner than expected.
And that could mean the Power and cross-town rivals Adelaide won’t have to relocate to a Queensland hub after all.
The 2020 season will recommence on June 11, reportedly with a Richmond-Collingwood meeting to be followed by a Showdown in South Australia the same week.
The latter fixture comes after SA premier Steven Marshall lobbied AFL boss Gillon McLachlan in a plea for the Showdown to be played in its home state.
It would give Port Adelaide and Adelaide one more week at home before their planned temporary relocation to the Gold Coast.
(AAP Image/Ben Macmahon)
It would also leave more time for SA to potentially lift the quarantine restrictions that, as it stands, prevent clubs from flying in and out of the state for matches.
However, there’s yet to be any public indication that the SA government will ease border controls to a level where the Power and Crows could fly in and out each week.
“We feel like that once we can get into games and governments can look at how we’re actually monitoring it and how serious we are about doing it the right way, they’ll feel a lot more comfortable about being able to release further restrictions,” Voss told Fox Footy on Wednesday night.
“We’re hopeful, but at the same time we can only operate with the information that’s in front of us, and that is that we’re still expecting to go into that hub if needed at the start of the season.”
In a surprise move on Tuesday, the SA clubs were given permission to resume contact training from next Monday.
It had previously been barred in the state until June 8, but the SA government’s updated ruling opened the door for the Round 2 Showdown.
“It seems an appropriate way to be able to kick off the season for us,” Voss said.
The AFL is expected to release the first block of fixtures – up to four weeks’ worth – for the season restart by the end of the month.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
No way to speak about your next coach, Brendan. :happy:
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Well with all of that frothing at the mouth and running into brick walls (who put that there) that those Port Rocket Surgeons do I wouldn't be surprised!
DTM
Guest
Fox Sport reporting that there are only 2 qualified umpires in SA and not sufficient tv crew so any Showdown in SA would have to wait for necessary personnel to complete 14 day quarantine. Not sure the AFL/Fox/Ch 7 will want to do this for one game when there's no crowd and they could play later in the year when restrictions should be lifted.
DTM
Guest
I would like everyone to be clear. DTM is not an alias for Ritchie Tiger. I do not barrack for Richmond (in fact I don't even like them).
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
SPP and Charlie Dixon. Fatality
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
It just somehow always circles back around to what Michael Voss thinks is good for Michael Voss.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I understand and agree to a point, but at the same time, responsible business owners with proper policing can be almost as stringent, the last person in SA was recorded as cured and out of hospital today. I'm not saying that footy shouldn't be played, just that common sense dictates other industries should be given the same level of treatment when possible. Its totally possible right now.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Port just don’t want to stay in the same hotel as the Crows. Ramsgate 2.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Plus he was a very average coach and part of the group that thought they could moneyball a flag by grabbing half a new side in the off season. Great player though, one of the best of all time.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Voss is someone who has never experienced life outside of football. You can see it when he speaks. As you say, he's about the worst person to be commenting on current events because he sounds absolutely tone deaf when he does it.
RT
Roar Rookie
No more predictable than you Matti. Or, perhaps I am less predictable, because you never know which of my many aliases I might use. :silly: I have no problem with WA closing its borders (though I heard before Pauline Hansen said it, that it might be unconstitutional). But McGowan's carry-on has been unbecoming for someone in his position (thanks Prince Andrew). Don't close your borders on one hand but then expect 16 teams to relocate to your city. I guess it is all just for show though. I never said a hub was or wasn't fair. It is what it is. I have only said that if the AFL can get a season happening safely within the parameters set by governments then they should. But I don't believe in the asterisk. Like I commented on another thread, does 2016 still count after Gold Coast's scheduling at the start of the season with the Commonwealth Games taking their home ground, or Brisbane in 2001 to 2003 playing away games against Melbourne at the GABBA? I can easily see West Coast being 6-0 or 5-1, with Brisbane the only real equal in the hub teams. If this happens it may just be down to ability, but I am sure they would have to go in to the hub with the right preparation and attitude. I don't know if that is classed as galvanising. Maybe. Mental preparation is probably more important this year than ever before.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Agree to a large extent. Yet these players will be subject to far more stringent restrictions than the average punter when they get up and away. Is that fair? Dunno. Fact is they are not the same as everyone else and give up a lot of what the public take for granted.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
God Voss annoys me when he speaks. No AFL clubs should get any special dispensation for anything......Period No border openings, not extra concessions, no ability to fly around the country when other people who are every bit as important as anyone on any football staff can not go to work. Right now in South Australia there are 16,000 people out of work in the hospitality sector alone, we have a $1bn budget deficit on the way and our priority should be to get the economy going as FAIRLY as possible, if these teams, my own included are able to do things when I can't even re-open my restaurant to a decent capacity, there will trouble, guaranteed. How can 10 blokes do full contact training when my restaurant cannot seat more than 10 people inside? It doesn't matter how responsible you are in the hub Vossy, it's about the state/country and what's best for everyone, not the special few.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
:thumbup: expected from you Richie Rich, I was just noticing how much McGowan ruffled the Victorian feathers but glad to see you accept it isn't fair on the hub sides finally than the it could galvanize the team malarkey yourself and other vic came up with. He's convinced me that protecting WA population, our vunerable indig population and industry that's keeping Australia afloat at the moment should somehow register with ppl rather than a foot stomp, why has everyone else closed borders with nsw except Victoria? Highly irresponsible imo and money over safety is a horrific perspective but keep it up
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Not in the slightest. He rolled the dice and . . . lost. Now he's doubling down and will probs lose again.
RT
Roar Rookie
Ha. McGowan is trying to convince the likes of you, not the rest of the country. All this does is emphasise that the AFL made the right call. Potentially only 2 teams in a hub instead of 16. Is it fair? Maybe not, but life goes on.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Lol he's really upset you kids, truth hurts it seems.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Would love to see this scenario pan out for Port, and Adelaide. Then it's over to you Mc . . . Mark.