Sydney’s two teams will soon join the AFL’s COVID-19 exodus as they prepare for the prospect of spending the rest of this season away from home.
Victoria’s 10 clubs were forced to pack up and move interstate earlier this month because of a coronavirus outbreak in Melbourne.
The situation is currently not as grim in Sydney but the growing rate of community transmission has prompted Queensland to declare the entire NSW capital a COVID-19 hotspot.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced her state’s border will close to Sydneysiders from 1am on Saturday.
The AFL’s fixtures boss Travis Auld had anticipated such a development; scheduling Sydney and GWS to play their next two games in Queensland before heading to a hub in Western Australia.
But the border closure will force both the Swans and Giants, who will square off in their cross-city derby at Perth’s Optus Stadium on August 13, to hastily alter a range of plans.
GWS will now fly out on Thursday – for Sunday’s clash with Gold Coast – with the Swans expected to also depart NSW two days earlier than first planned.
The Sydney clubs were originally scheduled to share a flight into Queensland on Saturday.
That arrangement may no longer be practical given both clubs’ travelling parties will swell because they are taking more players than would be the norm for a single game.
Giants football manager Jason McCartney told AAP earlier this week he planned on taking the club’s entire squad into the Perth hub.
Swans coach John Longmire conceded on Tuesday it was possible that his team won’t play again in Sydney this year.
“Anything is possible in this environment,” Longmire said.
“You have to roll with the punches a bit. If that’s the case, that’s the case … if the plan changes we’ll move with it.
“What you’re fast becoming accustomed to is turning up to work on a Monday and being not sure what the next day will bring.”
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
It’s in Perth so assumption would be the following two rounds are v the WA teams. Requirement to quarantine for two weeks when they arrive. So bye (round 11) and play each other round 12 is consistent with pattern for all other teams going to Perth.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Ah OK. That makes sense. Yeah, I feel for the people trying to keep everything going - what a nightmare, particularly with the situation so fluid.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Each other. I'm referring to the Round 12 game where the Swans play the Giants.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Luckily president Trump is well in control of the situation, as can be demonstrated by when he supported a group of doctors who were organised by the Tea Party Patriots who were opposing the wearing of masks, a group that included Dr. Stella Immanuel. Immanuel says that doctors use medicine made from alien DNA, that government is trying to create a vaccine to make you immune from becoming religious, that "demon sperm" from sex with ‘tormented spirits’ causes reproductive issues and that many world leaders are reptillians. I wonder if she recomends injecting bleach as well? Or is that just Trump?
Nick Symonds
Guest
"Is this an over reaction ?" - The UK has lost more people to covid-19 than they did from The Blitz and America's death toll is 50 times that of september 11.
Nick Symonds
Guest
YESTERDAY: Get ready for a smorgasbord of AFL like never before TODAY: Sydney clubs forced to leave home early after Queensland border closure.
Nick
Roar Guru
Yeah, nah. The UK only tried "herd immunity" for 2 weeks which was a spectacular failure, and didn't close the borders or mandate any quarantine at all until May. So, perhaps you should actually research and read newspapers that aren't the DT.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
All they got was a $4k fine.
Irie
Roar Rookie
Even just a night or two before they front a magistrate - scare the proverbial out of them and send a strong message to everyone else
Irie
Roar Rookie
And so it begins. I'm hoping and praying this is as far as it goes, but having seen how it's run rampant in Vic and the issues in NSW I'm not the most confident
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Yeah, but Vic was around that mark (e.g. 19 cases a few weeks ago) now look where they are. So perhaps the question around action becomes do you act pro-actively (precautionary once you see a few cases) or act re-actively (wait until an outbreak becomes evident with many cases, but noting that once you are aware of the outbreak re high numbers, it's highly likely it's already spread well beyond those numbers). It's the uncertainty around the rate of potential infection spread that is causing govts to be trigger happy.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Too true Paul. All the Qld. LNP have done is argue against the restrictions the Government has applied.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
They should isolate those two in jail.
Beni Iniesta
Guest
There is a big difference between the UK and NSW though. Ever heard of the Ruby Princess? There was nothing like that death ship on the UK.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Clive Palmer could be banned from WA. Perhaps a better outcome is that Clive Palmer is just banned.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
I’m very close to the school one worked at :crying: my sons footy training is cancelled and some shopping centres may be closed
Irie
Roar Rookie
Three cases now...all because of two selfish people :angry:
DTM
Guest
Yep, state election in WA in March and we have Mr 89% vs .... sorry, I've forgotten her name. McGowan can do what he likes. There are petitions everywhere (Facebook, Twitter, shopping centres etc) wanting Clive Palmer banned from WA.
DTM
Guest
Going into WA, they have to quarantine for 14 days but can play each other within that time. So having a GWS vs Syd game in Perth makes some sense (otherwise both teams would have 14 days with no games). Would cause mayhem if just one GWS or Syd player tests positive prior to their 2nd game in Perth. It will mean a restart of the 14 day quarantine for both teams from the time the test is done. Lots of challenges for everyone and it's a credit to the AFL, the clubs, the players and their families that they are managing to keep entertaining us. Life would be hard to cope with without footy - particularly for some of those in Victoria now.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Victorian rates?