One of the most difficult changes that the AFL players, officials, members and supporters have had to get used to in 2020 as a result of Covid-19 is that we have no crowds at our AFL matches.
It is such a weird feeling with no crowds at a blockbuster game at the M.C.G. This upcoming Thursday night match between Collingwood and Richmond would normally have 80,000-90,000 fans in attendance. Instead, there will just be a handful of coaches, journalists and administrators.
It is a change that everybody in the AFL – and in fact in sport in general – has had to adapt to.
Realistically, when is a return to AFL crowds allowed? This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on so many factors.
I believe that by late July to August 2020 is when will see a return to crowds in some format or another. There are many factors that have to be considered before rushing in and allowing footy fans to flood through the gates of our iconic grounds again, rubbing shoulders with each other as they sing their team songs with a beer in hand.
Besides fans sitting next to each other, a big issue is that there are shared facilities like toilets. There will also need to be social distancing enforced at the ground in some form of a capacity or another, probably until we get a vaccine.
Around the world, ideas to improve the atmosphere at empty grounds have included animated fans and recorded crowd noise.
For the meantime AFL broadcasters are developing a plan to include fan reactions of the watching the games live from home.
We all know this, at the moment it is better to stay safe and healthy and reduce the risk of a second wave of Covid-19.
While it is a long wait, all footy fans know that they will be able to head back to the game one day.
sofacheer
Roar Rookie
I am not sure how far behind NZ we will trail, but they are a great indicator of what is coming for us. I will be curious to see how keen NZ spectators are to pack into a stadium in the near future.
Redb
Roar Guru
Pretty funny they're allowing 350 fans into North v GWS. That's almost a good crowd for these two lol
Fletch
Roar Rookie
Thanks!
Fletch
Roar Rookie
I totally agree! At a supermarket you do not go to the bathroom.
Fletch
Roar Rookie
It is good news that 2,000 fans are allowed at Adelaide Oval this weekend.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yep am hoping we might even be able to get to a bit of footy if this WA hub is legit.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Just no exemption if your sick and on Nauru it seems.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Think Anastasia said caro was making that up about Qld, would have news on the NRL having crowds this weekend aswell in Qld but no news. Apparently magowan talked about crowds at Optus when hub starts.
Paul2
Guest
Yep. It's apparently applying whatever restrictions are in place for restaurants.
Paul2
Guest
@ PaulD I'm pretty sure returned travelers need to do hotel isolation for 2 weeks.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yeah I'd say it's only corporates.
Nick
Roar Guru
I support the scepticism, but they've been rather militant on the border at the moment. I've got a few family examples of rejections to travel. My best mate who is a dual Aus/UK citizen had to apply to return to the UK, and prove that his primary residence is there. It's bloody hard to get out.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
The list of exemptions on Home Affairs website is broad enough you could drive a cruise ship through it. You can have faith in Mr Dutton's brigade of clown shoed brownshirts to police the borders if you want, but I certainly don't
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Timely first story Fletch. Good Points well made. BLM crowds will give an excellent indication of covids catchiness and crowds back at footy would be great. Unless there's a decent spike it would have to be considered. Covid is not that deadly to anyone with a decent immune anyway so general public crowding might get a go sooner than later. We shut down to protect the hospitals and they are quieter than normal due to peoples general refusing to get sick (or to leave the house if they are a bit off). If the health system is in no danger and covid is a pretty mild virus we could be willing to have a go. We will have to at some stage. Sport must be good for immune systems so not playing may be weakening the herd.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
2000 at Adelaide Oval for the Showdown (+ Corporate Boxes of 20).
Bobby
Guest
Q: "Because [X] happened, why can't we do [Y]?" A: Because we should be limiting everything, and just because X happened doesn't mean that Y should.
Nick
Roar Guru
Corporate box attendees, no?
Nick
Roar Guru
for starters, we’re still allowing international travel, and I don’t have any faith in the average person who gets on a plane to Bali to do the greater good when they come home and actually stay isolated for 14 days. You are surely mistaken Paul. Australia has a ban on citizens/residents leaving the country except for extremely limited reasons. Australia is the only country in the OECD with that ban. International traffic leaving Australia is no more or less than what is leaving NZ at the moment.
Nick
Roar Guru
Max There was a mistake in your post. I'll rewrite for you... "I'm no health expert so therefore I will refrain from offering my thoughts on managing a health crisis and will just accept the expertise of those with the appropriate qualifications."
Fletch
Guest
Look, it depends on if there is a second wave. However I believe shared facilities are the main issue .