The AFL is dealing with more coronavirus complications as the Brisbane Lions face an uncertain wait to see if they can return to Queensland for their Easter Thursday clash with Collingwood.
Brisbane’s Friday night game in Geelong was thrown into chaos as new Victorian government advice about COVID-19 in Queensland came through less than an hour before the first bounce.
The game at GMHBA Stadium went ahead as the Cats defeated the Lions in a one-point thriller but the fallout could be significant.
Lions players and staff have been told to stay in their hotel rooms until being told what to do by the AFL.
Brisbane are due to host the Magpies at the Gabba in five days in what is traditionally their biggest home game of the year.
Victoria’s health department has declared Brisbane and Moreton Bay COVID-19 hot spots and says anyone who has been in those areas since March 12 must self-isolate and be tested for coronavirus.
The Lions were given an exemption to play in Geelong as they are abiding by AFL protocols but a return to Brisbane is up in the air.
(Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
“We have not received any information from the AFL,” said Lions coach Chris Fagan, who conducted his post-game press conference via video due to the health advice.
“We’re flying back (on Saturday) but that can change. As we know, life changes pretty quickly these days.”
Fagan admitted he was unsure if the game against Geelong would go ahead but protected his players from knowing the situation until an alert flashed up on the stadium scoreboard at quarter-time.
“I thought there was a chance it could be called off,” Fagan said.
“I’m glad it wasn’t because it was one of the better games of Aussie rules football you will ever see.
“It didn’t upset the team because we didn’t talk about it. We just take our advice from the AFL and the governments.
“I’m not sure if the players knew about it but it certainly wasn’t a topic of conversation between myself and the players.”
Hawthorn legend and former Lions player Hodge, who retired from the AFL in 2019 after a decorated 346-game career, was forced to leave the ground as he travelled from Brisbane for the match.
North Melbourne great Wayne Carey was also directed to leave the Channel Seven commentary box, while a small contingent of travelling Lions supporters also had to depart the ground.
The Lions’ AFLW team are also in Victoria and are due to play Melbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday.
nics
Roar Rookie
And yet the healthcare workers and experts do not appear to have objected to the lockdowns. Easy for you to say measures have been too harsh when you don't have to cope with COVID patients plus the need to wear heavy PPE, long shifts, on top of your usual case loads. I'm sure our medicos are grateful they didn't have to decide who doesn't get a ventilator unlike those in Italy. If that had eventuated I'm sure you'd be complaining that not enough was done to stop the outbreak. But no, isn't it great the footy's back?
nics
Roar Rookie
That "small" stuff up was responsible for 696 covid cases (see ABC article dated 30/420). I think WA voters might disagree on your preference for Gladys (putting aside her recent issues with pork barrelling and the person she used to date). Unfortunately the local Libs decided that open borders and siding Clive Palmer was the way to go - electoral suicide. You still haven't addressed my point re vulnerable remote communities and the FIFO industries up north. Those distances are far greater than those in NSW.
Lukey Miller
Guest
Bullshit once again!
Lukey Miller
Guest
Victoria had the overwhelming bulk of Australian covid deaths due to their diabolical stuff up with quarantine. Credit to Gladys after the much smaller cruise ship stuff up, she just beefed up her health procedures and developed a tracking and investigation system that is clearly world best practice. NSW tracking is now far superior to any of the other states and Gladys doesn't panic. The Premier in WA knows his health department and trackers are very limited, so he will close down the state over a single infection (he closes his border if there is even a sniff of covid anywhere in Oz). I wish Gladys was our Premier.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
It’s a classic political play. Exaggerate risk, act tough by enacting lockdowns and border closures, and then make out like heroes when there are no more cases. Ratings in opinion polls go up five points. Bingo !!
Lukey Miller
Guest
The woman in NSW is making the rest of Australia's Premiers look very ordinary. A few infections is all it takes to shut down states and for borders to be closed. The leader in WA effectively closed that State down after just one infection some weeks ago. Many businesses lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, because he did not have any confidence in his systems. Gladys would have just sent her brilliant trackers to work and there would have been no lock down required, except for the public to take appropriate care. Good luck to the AFL dealing with these Premiers.
Mr Sparkle
Guest
You should look up the rationale for concentration camps and tell me whether you truly don't belong in one.
Mr Sparkle
Guest
Not sure how I'm insulting you? I'm simply saying you have autism and that correlates to your autistic posts. Was it the 5G? Was it a vaccine? Was it microsoft?
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
No, he doesn't realise that he has been influenced by the bloated opinions of shock jocks and Sydney-centric media which have been slavishly rehashing Morrison/Berejiklian propaganda to their captive audience. That and he is the definition of Dunning-Kreuger.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Go looked great last night ( against a lower level vfl team)
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Ok spruce :thumbup: go Suns !
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
It took me 3 years to reach 1k comments, yet it's only taken you 5 months, so who's the keyboard warrior hiding in their bedroom? Or is it under your bridge? I've also published 41 articles while you've published none. Keep trolling, doggy.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That sounds like outrage in a velvet glove. Lots more than two types of people.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
And the rest of the season at home. More flat white than gloss. Three weeks is just a road trip, not a hub.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
You appear to be glossing over the Lions doing a 3 week hub in 2020 before the GC Hub began. Sloppy work there, Don.
Kerry Hanson
Guest
Now EWE LAMBast me by making insulting RAMarks based on a persons disability. The SHEAR audacity, in fact it’s not much CHOP. EWE should be ashamed yaself Sheepie. BAAAAAAAD BOY SHEEPIE BAAAAAAAD BOY!
Mr sparkle
Guest
Oh, I get it. you have autism Must be the 5G
Blitz
Guest
It’s not free, taxpayers pay for it, possibly even you? Anyone is welcome to participate in the largest clinical human trial in history! At the very least I willwait till it’s actually approved for use on humans which typically takes 10 years. Look up the etymology of the word government.
Kerry Hanson
Guest
You’re an angry little sheepie, aren’t ewe. BAAAAAA BAAAAAAAAA give me the needle BAAAAAAAAA
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Flaccid commentary haha keep wasting your life writing boring articles Hudo. Have a great night bud :thumbup: