Tomorrow’s AFL match between Essendon and Melbourne has been postponed after the Bombers’ Conor McKenna tested positive for COVID-19.
Speaking at a hastily called press conference, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan confirmed McKenna was tested twice: the first one on Friday returned an “irregularity” before a second test on Saturday came back positive.
“We said at the outset of this crisis that we would make all decisions based on medical advice and our first priority is and remains the health and safety of our players, staff and the wider community,” McLachlan said.
“That is priority one, two and three. We need to do the right thing. The right thing for our clubs and the wider community is to postpone this match involving Essendon tomorrow.”
Despite earlier reports that McKenna was at Essendon training on Saturday despite the irregularity in his first test, the AFL was categorical in denying he attended the morning session.
A timeframe for rescheduling the Bombers’ game against the Demons has not been made, with the advice from the Department of Health critical in deciding when it will be played. The same goes for Essendon’s next match; it has not been confirmed when they will be able to play next, and McLachlan made no guarantees about their Round 4 match.
The club will be closed and cleaned and all staff and players have been asked to isolate as per direction from the health department, but it is unsure whether this will impact their opponents from last week, the Sydney Swans.
McLachlan said McKenna had previously returned five negative tests, including one on Wednesday, and that all other players and staff at the club tested negative on Friday night.
McLachlan said that, while the positive test was obviously unfortunate, this was a case of the AFL’s safety protocols – under which players are tested twice a week – working well.
“We put this testing regime in place for a reason. It was to ensure that we knew if someone had the virus and we would take action to ensure we did not spread it to other players, staff or the wider community,” McLachlan said.
“Without the testing, we would not have known. So the system has done what it was designed to do.
“There have been more than 13,000 tests. This is the first positive but – given the circumstances – we will take a conservative approach.”
In addition to the Bombers-Demons game being indefinitely postponed, tomorrow’s other games have been rescheduled. Gold Coast versus Adelaide will begin at 3:05pm and Port Adelaide versus Fremantle at 8:05pm (both AEST).
The news comes the same day the Victorian state government announced increased restrictions in an attempt to prevent another COVID spike, with the state seeing an increase in infections recently. It also follows the NRL are set to relax their coronavirus restrictions for players, although McKenna’s test may lead to that decision being revoked.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
'transgressions and it's believed rigorous negotiations continue with Collingwood' Whats to negotiate? Dunn and Sidebottom both should get 2 weeks, for being dumb, Victoria has just been shut out from the rest of Australia and these 2 emptyheads go around trying to catch the COVID19......dumb and dumber
Redb
Roar Guru
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/only-one-other-bomber-deemed-close-contact-of-mckenna-players-told-20200623-p55580.html "Essendon's adherence to protocols and record-keeping has helped the club achieve an exceptional outcome in the circumstances of the McKenna positive test." For those that thought the club hadn't learnt from 2012.''
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
There is no bashing of the east by McGowan. It is your paranoia. Do you have even one example of his criticism of the east?
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Like all smaller state premiers, McGowan likes to play the parochialism card, esp with an election looming. Nothing like a bit of Melbourne/Sydney bashing to shore up your support I guess.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Bombers might have to field weak side against blues and pies now
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Unless the AFL vacated Melbourne and established hubs elsewhere, including taking up the offer of a WA hub. Problem is, taking the game out of Melbourne is apparently unthinkable even though it is probably the most logical solution if health concerns to clubs and disruption to the comp is truly front and centre of Gil M’s priorities 1, 2 and 3 (which is health). This is the problem with a competition which promotes itself as being a national comp, but in reality places Victoria at the top of the tree under which all other decisions are made and must be in deference to. The reality is, if health and disruption are the key issues for the AFL, then right now – and for the short term – Victoria is the last place the comp should be engaged in.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Sounds like US foreign policy over the last 60 years.
Big Dees
Guest
Just give the Demons the 4 points. Tough luck Bombers!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Surely there is a doctor around that could give him a jab of something (no questions asked)?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Flatley shared a bit more than that Don with those tight riverdance pants
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Apparently McKenna went to a house inspection breaking protocol
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
As we sit at round 3, it’s looking a Pies v Port GF in 2020 Hub. I don’t care if we wear Carltons M and M jumper if we win it. I’ll even watch that awful rubbish Sunrise in celebration. Yeah, I’ll sign it.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
2nd question will you sign the petition that kochy has got happening so we can wear our prison bar guernsey,before you answer, your coach who is a port adelaide premiership player has signed it,just waiting on you and eddie everywhere to put pen to paper
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Richmond. I don’t dislike Port Adelaide in any way. In order the top teams I like: Collingwood Geelong Eagles Port Adelaide Fremantle
Maxy
Roar Rookie
question 1 who do you dislike more richmond or port adelaide?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yep
Maxy
Roar Rookie
can i ask you 2 questions pts?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's because the AFL needs more info. Channel 7 can wait a day or two in the same way Gil has to.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
At least Flatley only used his legs. McKenna shared the contents of his nostrils.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
No, River Dance is an abomination. It's a bit like their 'national psyche'. The top half is all sobriety and pious. The bottom half is making whoopee ------ We all know dancing is what you do down the pitch to spinners.