All Victorian clubs will leave the state at the end of Round 5, with six to spend the rest of the season in a Queensland hub due to the worsening COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne.
The AFL announced on Friday afternoon all Melbourne-based sides will be moved to hubs in NSW, Western Australia and Queensland.
“The health and safety of our people and the wider community is paramount. We will continue to make decisions that are anchored in the advice of governments and designed to protect our people and the wider community,” AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said.
“I have said on a number of occasions that this would be a season of challenges. And that the one certainty is that before we completed the 2020 AFL premiership season there would be more unique challenges along the way.
“I would like to thank all of our clubs, players, coaches, umpires and officials for their continued support and ability to adapt quickly as we navigate through the changing environment.
“The Victorian clubs now temporarily moving interstate are playing their part in ensuring our season endures in a year that will continue to challenge us all.”
The AFL also revised the season fixtures, with Geelong now starting Round 6 by ‘hosting’ the Lions at the SCG. The Round 5 draw for this weekend remains unchanged.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed her state would host six of the sides, which are reported to be St Kilda, North Melbourne, Essendon, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, and Carlton.
“Essentially Queensland is going to be the home of the AFL, they should give us the grand final after this,” Palaszczuk told reporters on Friday.
“Four teams are going to be on the Gold Coast and two on the Sunshine Coast.
“There will be a lot more matches at the Gabba and Metricon and of course our capacity is 50 per cent of the public being able to go see these sports stars in action.
“(They’ll be here) for the rest of the season is my understanding.”
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge expected his side to head to either the Gold Coast or WA – as they have already played both Sydney teams – but was unsure whether they would leave early or late next week.
“We expect that (news) today … by the end of the day I think we’ll probably know where we’re going,” Beveridge told reporters on Friday.
Beveridge said the Bulldogs players were excited about heading into the hub, though they would be supported if they elected to stay in Melbourne.
“The difficult thing, I think for everyone who’s going to a hub is just leaving their families behind,” he said.
“I think we’ve got eight dads and the boys will make decisions on whether or not (they go).
“We’d love to take everyone with us, we’ll definitely take all our players.
“We’re hoping to be able to take partners and young children if that’s what the choice is – but there might be one or two who may not be able to go and that’s fine and so we’ll work through that.
“But I think everyone’s probably looking forward to it more than anything, and continuing on with the season and it probably eliminates a lot of the risk, back here.”
Players from seven clubs who live in Melbourne’s COVID-19 hot spots have temporarily moved out their homes to avoid being banned from entering NSW.
The Bulldogs had to relocate seven players and three staff members to a combination of staff member houses, hotels and Airbnbs.
As of Thursday night, Carlton and St Kilda were still in the dark about where and when they will relocate, though coaches David Teague and Brett Ratten both said they were excited at the prospect of a temporary move interstate.
St Kilda were set to play Geelong at Marvel Stadium next Thursday night.
The Blues are due to host Sydney at the MCG in Round 6, but that match appears unlikely to be played in Melbourne due to the NSW government urging its residents not to travel to Victoria.
There will not be a hub in South Australia, with SA Health Minister Stephen Wade ruling out the concept on SEN radio on Friday.
With AAP
Simoc
Guest
They don't come any slower than the South Australian govt, but WA and Qld do try. Just luckily they're far better places to live so attract better people. Hopefully States will be prevented from closing their borders by the High Court. That will stop this cowardly posturing by the little states premiers. Covid is an Australian problem and will continue to be. We need to operate nationally. Instead we have each state with a CMO who can't get a job outside govt. thrusting themselves into the national limelight. The weak states say how great they have been by listening to these nobodies. They have zero interest in the economy, that's a Federal problem apparently but they're preventing 1000s from working so they can big note their stats. History will show! The problem is likely to be less around Grand Final time and so not much will be different for the finals venues or the Grand final.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
For the next couple of weeks ... finally! The Vic clubs have of course been guaranteed a return to Melbourne after 4 weeks! Not sure that was ever offered to West Coast, Freo, Port or Adelaide!
RT
Roar Rookie
Like Victorian clubs will?
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Yes it would be tainted but the VFL won't let that happen. WC will have to play more "home games" in Brisbane or Adelaide!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
“bit of a fisherman”? Hey! I take umbrage! :happy:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Mmm. Problem.
matth
Roar Guru
Yes but it’s a rectangle.
RT
Roar Rookie
Yes, but you could give riverine the benefit of the doubt. Andrews has failed big time, no arguments from me there. BTW I never said McG was wrong to close borders.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
C'mon rich this whole site is based on liberal interpretation of what another has said ;), it's why we all return, anyways way to herd up the poor under police guard, if you want to really divide a community Mr Andrews.
RT
Roar Rookie
I am sure I rate just the same to you as you do to me. :stoked: I see you are still telling porkies after apparently reading my mind. So be it.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
If you actually rated somewhere in my life and new me I might be insulted but instead I'll enjoy the freedom that nasty magowan has given us. Yes it will cause death unfortunately Victorians didn't take it seriously, I hope they manage it better under the horrible circumstances. My views where about community safety first you unfortunately viewed money and entertainment as more important as you sow so shall you reap.
Nick
Roar Guru
Ross Lyon would have won the flag this year. The fatal flaw in his ugly, ugly game plan was 20 minute quarters... no one had that level of fitness required to play his style for that long when confronted against an attacking team. They would be able to with 16 minute quarters. Unlucky for him.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
Queensland and New South Wales are still Rugby states. If the Queensland If Queensland want to host the AFL, they will have to convince the other states that they got people to go and have real interest in the AFl not just because Brisbane and gold coast are doing well. I want WA to get the Grand final as it is a real AFl State and McGowan should open the WA Borders to others expect Victoria. Optus Stadium can have the Grand Final as it is the third biggest stadium in Australia. It is new and an outstanding Stadium. I want McGowan to put in the money to get the AFl grand final Promote WA For Tourism and an AFL State. But McGowan is from New South Wales and I think he is not promoting WA . I hope I would like to People Like Goyder the AFl Commsonier and other People like Harley Poynton who are from WA to get in I talk to McGowan to convince the WA is AFl State thate deserves the Grand Final. I do not care if is going to cost 20 million to get the AFl Grand Final to WA , just get it to WA The Real AFL and not Queensland who really not the Interested in the AFl. I just look forward to all Sandgropers to get together ask McGowan to lift the Borders and get 20 million to get the AFl Grand final to WA and Away from Queensland.
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
Everyone’s been effected. Can’t all wollow in self pity. ‘Just’ playing footy is a job and creates many other jobs. And they are subject to far stricter regulations than any other industry.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
Forget about that, it's not happening unless they have to. Where are the finals going to be?
Maxy
Roar Rookie
yes,if thats what the afl fixture it like
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Freo's is tougher. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th. 4 close losses. Beat that for tough.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yep. Freo is 0-4 and those 4 sides are the top 3 and the 5th side.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Do you really think WC, Richmond and Collingwood are the sides to worry about this year?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It's the top 8 sides from this year you ought to worry about.