The Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power have become the latest AFL teams to leave their home state and head to Melbourne, following a COVID-19 outbreak in South Australia.
Despite the SA government opting against a lockdown, the AFL have made the call to remove the Crows and Power, fearing the situation could escalate.
“Bringing the two South Australian teams to Victoria today minimises risk for the competition as we progress the season in a constantly changing environment,” AFL General Manager Travis Auld said in a statement.
“The two teams travelling today will fly to Victoria via a charter flight and will remain in the state ahead of this Round’s matches.
“While COVID-19 continues to impact the community, we will work closely with state governments, health officials, our clubs and players to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone in the game.”
While the Power were scheduled to play Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium in Round 16, the decision puts the Crows’ match against Brisbane, scheduled for the Adelaide Oval at 4:35pm on Saturday afternoon, up in the air.
The Fremantle Dockers’ clash with the Carlton Blues has also landed a new home, the match moved from Optus Stadium to GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.
The Dockers had requested the match be moved to Launceston’s University of Tasmania Oval, but the Tasmanian government refused the AFL’s request.
Earlier in the week, the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast, West Coast and the Dockers made their own hasty departures to Melbourne.
The league, reacting to lockdowns in south-east Queensland and Perth, is in the process of rejigging its round-16 fixture.
Thursday’s game between the Suns and Richmond has been moved from Metricon Stadium to Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium; while Fremantle’s clash with Carlton, originally slated for Perth’s Optus Stadium, will also need to be shifted.
Sydney and GWS are already based in Melbourne, having packed and flown out last week because of Bondi’s growing COVID-19 cluster.
Australia’s coronavirus outbreaks and ensuing border closures represent the AFL’s biggest fixturing challenge since last year, when clubs were shuttled into south-east Queensland hubs.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan made it clear to players earlier this month that hubs were a last resort, adding he envisaged “two, three weeks (away from home), max”.
Sydney’s two clubs were hopeful of returning home after round 17 but that is increasingly unlikely, with the Swans trying to make arrangements for more players to join the current group in Melbourne.
Brisbane plan to return home after playing the Crows, although players have been told to pack for several weeks.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Tuesday that south-east Queensland was entering a three-day lockdown.
The AFL confirmed soon after that the Lions, the Suns, the Dockers and the Eagles would all fly out on Tuesday.
“The four teams travelling today will fly to Victoria via charter flights and will be Covid-tested on arrival and isolate until they each receive a negative result,” AFL fixturing boss Travis Auld said.
“We will continue to remain adaptable as the season progresses.
“We will work closely with state governments, health officials, our clubs and players to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone in the game.”
Brisbane were already to planning to fly to Melbourne on Wednesday for their game against the Crows because of South Australia’s decision to close their border to Queensland.
West Coast were due to travel to Victoria this week before Sunday’s clash with Sydney, which has been relocated to Geelong.
Meanwhile, North Melbourne players and staff have been cleared to return to training after testing negative for COVID-19.
The Kangaroos had been isolating after visiting Melbourne airport at the same time as a flight attendant, who later tested positive for coronavirus.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
C'mon the Port!
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Cheers man. All good theres alot worse things going on out there that people have to deal with so could be worse. :stoked:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Good luck :thumbup:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Is that for the living so close to the Port Adelaide heartland or the cut and shut followed by the reconstruction.lol. :laughing: on the knee side of things, they want to go back in again, twice wasn't enough.lol. :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Poor bugger
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Nah man South Australia. I Live a stones throw from the homeland of Port Adelaide.lol. i use to walk home from the Port Club after poker and football, prior to last year's 2 knee operations.lol.
nics
Roar Rookie
Or self-rendered next time you roast a duck. They're naturally fatty. Gotta prick them all over the skin before roasting...
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Deli, supermarket
sven
Roar Rookie
geez im a fat bharstad as it is, not sure i need any more, but will give it a go, where do u get duck fat from ?
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Toorak Bears in memory of old Skasey.
Whoa
Guest
It was a tongue-in-cheek lighthearted comment.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Sounds like you got a dud
sven
Roar Rookie
tried it but didnt think much of it, maybe i got a dud, cause my mates kept telling me about em
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Duck fat on spuds is brilliant! When you have 80 year old & a five year old drooling at the same time you know it’s a winner! Do your self a favour get some duck fat in ya!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Scallops are brilliant have you tried the scallop pie?
sven
Roar Rookie
wish i shared your optimism blitz, between orifices that just dont give a fig & inept politicians i think we are up khyber pass, just a matter of time
sven
Roar Rookie
never had duck fat on spuds, sounds like i gotta try it, love the scallops down in tassie, bl00dy beautiful
1dog
Roar Rookie
The Blues have a good record of Beating the Dockers in Perth. Could be your lucky week
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Had it at Stanley Fish n’ Chips NW Tassie It’s the equivalent to duck fat on spuds!
sven
Roar Rookie
well for a small fee we may consider letting u join us ......