AFL clubs have been told the pre-finals bye will be scrapped this season but the week off will instead be used during the finals series.
The decision comes as the league attempts to keep the season moving amid the looming threat of further COVID-19 interruptions, with border restrictions making interstate travel and scheduling difficult.
The week off will be employed before the preliminary finals or the grand final – which will remain fixtured for September 25 – as the league nears a decision on where the final weeks of the season will be played.
Melbourne’s lockdown – which was extended on Monday until at least September 2 – is likely to result in the season decider being shifted away from the MCG for the second straight season.
It could mean the final two weeks of the season are played in Perth, where visiting clubs must undergo quarantine.
The pre-finals bye was initially implemented in 2016 with an eye towards preventing teams from resting players en masse in the build-up to the finals.
The decision to move the bye could affect team selection for round 23 this week as finals-bound clubs manage the workloads of their players.
Sydney are locked in to qualify for the finals in fifth or sixth position regardless of their result against Gold Coast this week, but coach John Longmire said he will not be resting a large group of players.
The Swans rested superstar Lance Franklin last week and left Jake Lloyd (knee) and Callum Mills (achilles) on the sidelines, with the trio set to return against the Suns.
“We got what we wanted out of last week with those players that needed to freshen up a bit,” Longmire said on Monday.
“That (resting a large group of players) is not in our planning at the moment.
“It’s a fine line between making sure that you rest and approach the finals fresh versus battle-hardened and in form.
“You really only assess that in the benefit of hindsight and as we know when we’re making these decisions, you don’t have that benefit.
“We just go with what it feels like and we’ve gone down the path of hoping that our players are nice and hardened and ready for whatever comes up in the next couple of weeks.”
Top-four sides the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide are tipped to open round 23 on Friday night, with the AFL to confirm the week’s fixture in the coming days.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Yep, could be an advantage to lose a qualifying final (unless, you lose the semi and go out in straight sets)?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Go get’m Chuck raise the energy & get mad, that’s the spirit :thumbup:
mbp
Guest
the grand final at the wacca this year....! the afl should renegociate their deal with the mcg. ideal would be the grand final at the mcg every second year ... rotate every second grand final between brissy, perth, sydney and adelaide...! a true national comp...!
Slick
Roar Rookie
I'm not against this either. It's all just being assumed that it's going to be in WA when other parts of the country can do it just fine too.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
50% record at subiaco and Waca. But 1 win 4 loses at Perth stadium. :crying: :laughing:
Dave
Roar Rookie
Why isn’t a neutral ground like Tassie not been considered? They have zero cases, have done for a while now.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Don’t like question marks Peter But l see your point!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
True enough Sven
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Hmmm, how about Cats? Demons? Port? Lions?
sven
Roar Rookie
good call slick, stuff WA - too hard basket
sven
Roar Rookie
they went ok back in '16 in the elimination final !
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Not very well Peter
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
How do the Dogs go in Perth Chanon?
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
A small mercy for the cowards awaiting The bombers blitz in finals
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Sounds to me this is a bloody disaster! Finals sound like a joke
Chanon
Roar Rookie
That’s a bloody joke just play all the finals in SA that WA government are like blood aliens running a sinking ship! Prefer all finals held in SA
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Has to be before the gf, who wants to win the first final and then have 2 weeks before your next game.
Windrince
Roar Rookie
If they do that then two teams will have two weeks off in a row. Bit tough on them
Slick
Roar Rookie
Why is SA not being considered?
DTM
Roar Rookie
Looks like they are allowing for the bye to be before the Prelims in case they need to be held in Perth. This will allow the 4 teams time to quarantine in WA before playing. It will also limit the influx of players and officials into WA – 8 teams coming in would create a fair challenge to accommodate in suitable premises. Just wish they would be more transparent. If the plan is to keep the prelims in Victoria even if there are no crowds, they could say this. Planning for this is complicated but not impossible.