AFL Covid news: How every club is being impacted by the latest outbreaks and lockdowns
Rowan Marshall will miss the clash against West Coast after attending a bar which has became a Tier 1 exposure site, as a call came for the AFL to hit the pause button.
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Rowan Marshall’s trip to the Wallabies rugby and post-match beer at the Precinct Hotel could have plunged the St Kilda-West Coast clash into jeopardy after he was forced into 14-day quarantine.
As the walls close in on the AFL with players from five clubs now in 14-day quarantine, Port Adelaide veteran Tom Rockliff made clear he believed the league should bring forward its pre-finals bye.
He said it was time for the AFL to take a “deep breath” and pause the competition for a week.
But the league showed no intention of slowing down on Tuesday as it continued to fixture on the run following a snap lockdown in South Australia.
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Saints ruckman Marshall, who is said to be “anxious and stressed”, joined Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley in two-week quarantine backdated to Tuesday after the Precinct Hotel became a Tier 1 exposure site.
Marshall and his Irish teammate Darragh Joyce had stopped at the pub for a beer for 45 minutes after the rugby before catching an Uber home.
St Kilda chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said the club did not have a problem with their actions as both players had the day off the following day.
Joyce sat in a different seat to Marshall at the rugby — an area that has since been categorised as a Tier 1 exposure site.
He will also quarantine for 14 days.
Following the news, the entire Saints squad has had to go into an 18-hour lockdown and return negative tests from their Perth hub before WA Health authorities agreed to their Perth Stadium game going ahead.
Dunkley told ESPN on Tuesday he would be out of quarantine at 11.59pm on Wednesday night and ready for training ahead of a Round 20 clash.
He said he had not been to the Frank & Harri Cafe for six months but dropped by for brunch last week.
“It was about 10 o‘clock last Wednesday morning I went to the café,” he told ESPN.
“Obviously I’d travelled to Queensland on the Thursday, then played on Saturday afternoon and flew back.
“It wasn’t until we flew back late on Saturday night that I was just looking at the exposure sites, and I knew I was pretty close (to some areas of concern) and that I had checked in as every good citizen does.
“Sure enough I got a message on Monday night, but I’d actually tested before that and tested negative.”
Rockliff said there were Port Adelaide players reluctant to travel to Melbourne, bemused that players had been able to fly into lockdown in the state last week.
“If you can do the maths on that, you are a genius. We are doing the same thing,” he told Triple M.
“You do the maths on why we would fly there, if you can work that out let me know.
“Don’t get me wrong, we are in a privileged position as AFL players and haven’t been too affected through the last 18 months but it’s come about pretty quick and trying to comprehend the reason of leaving a city in lockdown to go to another city that’s in lockdown, it’s hard to get your head around. Even to go there and play last weekend was little bit odd
“There was a city in lockdown and we flew in and out. The AFL want to continue to push on and that’s completely understandable and all players are willing to do that but at what cost and at what point do we bring that bye forward and just take a deep breath for a week, let everyone settle down?
“No one likes the finals-week bye, scrap it and let everyone get out of lockdown and give them more time to work out the plan.”
SWANS, GIANTS SET TO REUNITE WITH FAMILIES
- Marc McGowan
The Queensland Government has approved a transition hub in Brisbane that will help eventually reunite more than 100 families and partners with the Swans and Giants.
All interested parties have entered a two-day pre-quarantine period and will fly out of Sydney on charter flights on Thursday afternoon after weeks of anticipation.
They won’t be able to leave their home from now other than to undergo Covid-19 testing before heading to Queensland.
There will be a further two-week quarantine period once the families and partners arrive in Brisbane, extending what has already been a month apart from loved ones.
They will then be able to join the Swans and Giants in their Queensland accommodation.
The AFL has employed world-leading healthcare services provider Aspen Medical to oversee the hub and ensure all risks are mitigated.
It’s a major victory for the two Sydney clubs, which have been more disadvantaged than anyone this season, including relocating a second time from Victoria to Queensland last week.
The AFL’s executive general manager of clubs and broadcasting, Travis Auld, travelled to Brisbane last Thursday and has put in a power of work in recent days to get the deal across the line.
Auld led negotiations and has worked feverishly to tick off all government requirements in what was an incredibly intricate submission.
The AFL, including chief executive Gillon McLachlan, the two clubs and their families and partners have kept in regular touch in recent weeks to ensure this resolution was reached.
GIANT BOBBY HILL RETURNS HOME
- Marc McGowan
Giants forward Bobby Hill has returned to Sydney to be with his pregnant partner after spending the past month apart.
Hill made the family first decision in consultation with club officials and flew home on Monday morning.
His partner, Georgia, is due to give birth to their first child in December.
The Giants and Swans remain hopeful about a potential Queensland transition hub that would enable families and partners of players and staff to quarantine then reunite with loved ones.
They could be in that transition hub as soon as the end of this week.
Hill would also be able to rejoin the team that way, but would first have to quarantine for 14 days, meaning he will miss at least the next two games.
Giants football boss Jason McCartney said the 21-year-old had the club’s full support.
“As we know, the two Sydney clubs have faced plenty of challenges over the past few weeks and we appreciate the sacrifices our players and staff have made,” McCartney said.
“Family comes first, so Bobby will return home now with our full support and if the option becomes available for him to rejoin the group, then we’ll welcome him back as soon as we can.”
Another Giant, Jeremy Finlayson, has his pregnant partner with him in Queensland, after she drove down to Melbourne from Sydney in the week the Swans and Giants fled NSW.
Swans coach John Longmire coach said on Tuesday they hoped to have a Queensland transition hub in place for families and partners as soon as possible.
“We’re hopeful (for this week), but it’s out of our hands. We just don’t know – nothing’s been locked in yet,” he said.
“We’re talking to the families. Obviously, we’ve been away for a month and there’s still a fair bit of time to go, but we just don’t know.”
How is your club being impacted by the latest Covid lockdowns and outbreaks? Check out our club-by-club guide below.
ADELAIDE
The Crows are getting on a plane at 4pm on Tuesday and flying to Melbourne to escape the South Australian lockdown. They have been told to pack for a month. They are scheduled to play Hawthorn on Saturday night, with the match locked in for Marvel Stadium. Adelaide is scheduled to take on the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat the following weekend.
Next four: v Hawthorn, v Bulldogs, v Port, v Melbourne, North Melbourne
BRISBANE
The Lions copped a fixture swap on Monday. They will host the Suns at the Gabba on Saturday and expect to take on Hawthorn in Melbourne the following week (meaning their round 19 and 20 matches have been changed). But the league will need to establish a Covid bridge between Victoria and Queensland to allow Melbourne teams to fly into Queensland in the same manner as their trips to South Australia.
Next four: v Gold Coast, v Hawthorn, v Fremantle, v Collingwood, v West Coast
CARLTON
The Blues don’t have any players or staff caught up in any exposure site worries as they prepare to take on North Melbourne this weekend. The Blues have a favourable run home to the finals but would need to win almost all of their last five games to make September for the first time in eight years. They are scheduled to play four of those five games at Marvel Stadium where the Blues have won four of their last 10 games.
Last five: v North Melbourne, v St Kilda, v Gold Coast, v Port Adelaide, v Giants
COLLINGWOOD
Bittersweet news for the Magpies, who have dodged a gruelling trip to Adelaide. Collingwood players with young families were facing 60 hours isolating in a city hotel before flying to South Australia because they had to avoid contact with kindergartens and child care centres. Now they can stay at home. The Pies will now face Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. All Magpie players and staff were tested last Saturday after one player was caught up in the AAMI Park exposure site at Tuesday night’s Wallabies’ game. The Magpie has been cleared to rejoin teammates and all other players and staff have returned negative results.
Last five: v Port Adelaide, v West Coast, v Hawthorn, v Brisbane, v Essendon
ESSENDON
The Bombers have shifted from Surfers Paradise and set up camp in Noosa for what is expected to be another two weeks interstate. They face games against Greater Western Sydney and Sydney in the next two rounds, with both those Sydney sides now Queensland-based. Essendon took its whole playing squad north last Thursday, with only two players electing to stay behind in Melbourne. Midfielder Andy McGrath is in hard quarantine after attending the Wallabies rugby match in Melbourne, but is currently sidelined with a knee injury anyway.
Last five: v GWS, v Sydney, v Western Bulldogs, v Gold Coast, v Collingwood
FREMANTLE
The Dockers may have been bloodied and bruised after their 69-point loss to Geelong last week, but a small consolation is that they were playing at home and so did not travel outside their home state. However, this weekend that changes, originally they were supposed to be travelling to Melbourne to face the Swans at GMHBA Stadium, but with Sydney currently hubbing in Queensland, the AFL has moved that match to Metricon Stadium and the two team will face off at 12:30pm on Sunday.
Last five: v Sydney v Richmond v Brisbane v West Coast, St Kilda
GEELONG
After a dominant win over Fremantle, the Cats returned home from their Perth mission ahead of a Round 19 clash against Richmond at the MCG on Sunday. That game is more likely to be an empty stadium – so no Tiger Army to contend with. The Cats made a strong push to relocate the game to GMHBA Stadium but will be comfortable in the knowledge they thumped the Tigers by 63 points at the MCG in Round 8.
Last five: v Richmond, v North Melbourne, v GWS Giants, v St Kilda, v Melbourne
GOLD COAST
The Suns’ clash against Melbourne in Darwin has been pushed back a week. Instead they will travel to Brisbane to take on arch rivals the Lions at The Gabba.
Last five: v Brisbane, v Melbourne, v Carlton, v Essendon, v Sydney
GWS GIANTS
Lurches from bad to worse for Greater Western Sydney. The Giants lost Toby Greene and Matt de Boer in the hours before Sunday night’s Sydney derby loss, after attending last week’s Wallabies-France match at exposure site AAMI Park. Those two players, plus Jake Stein and Kieren Briggs, will also miss this weekend’s match as they serve isolation. GWS is to play Essendon, which is also in Queensland, at Metricon Stadium on Sunday. Then they have two top-four sides and Richmond. Bobby Hill has returned to Sydney to be with his pregnant partner after spending the past month apart.
Hill would also be able to rejoin the team if a potential Queensland transition hub is established. However, he would first have to quarantine for 14 days, meaning he will miss at least the next two games.
Last five: v Bombers, v Port, v Cats, v Tigers, v Blues
HAWTHORN
The Hawks will now play Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night instead of Adelaide Oval as a result of South Australia’s snap lockdown. With Adelaide flew to Melbourne on Tuesday night. The Hawks are expected to play Brisbane in Round 20, and could be expected to fly north for that one.
Last five: v Adelaide, v Lions, v Magpies, v Bulldogs, v Richmond
MELBOURNE
Time to put their fluctuating form to the test. The Demons were hardly convincing against Hawthorn, struggling to a draw, but now face the second-placed Bulldogs this Saturday night at the MCG. Sadly, it’s hard to see a crowd being allowed — twice this worthy contest will take place without fans. The Demons had been scheduled to play the Gold Coast in Darwin. That match has been pushed back to Round 20.
Last five: v Dogs, v Suns, v Eagles, v Adelaide, v Geelong
NORTH MELBOURNE
The Kangaroos made the mad dash to Queensland last Thursday expecting to be based in Queensland for up to three weeks but instead returned to Melbourne on a charter flight immediately after their loss to Essendon on Sunday afternoon. Their next three scheduled opponents are all Victorian clubs.
Last five: v Carlton, v Geelong, v Richmond, v Sydney, Crows
PORT ADELAIDE
Travis Boak is following hot in the footsteps of Jack Riewoldt. Boak was looking to play his 300th game on Friday night at his home ground in front of his home crowd. Now, like Riewoldt last week, he is flying interstate to play his milestone match at an away venue — and in front of empty stands. Following SA’s lockdown, Port will be based in Melbourne and will play Collingwood on Friday night at Marvel Stadium.
Last five: v Magpies, v Giants, v Crows, v Carlton, v Bulldogs
RICHMOND
The Tigers flew back to Melbourne after their victory over the Lions at Metricon Stadium without their superstar Dustin Martin. He remains in hospital on the Gold Coast recovering from a significant kidney injury. He is expected to stay in hospital until midweek as the Tigers fight to reclaim a place in the top-eight against Geelong at the MCG on Sunday, despite a strong push from the Cats to have the match played at GMHBA Stadium.
Last five: v Geelong, v Fremantle, v North Melbourne, v GWS Giants, v Hawks
ST KILDA
Victoria’s strict lockdown laws might feel like a holiday to St Kilda players and coaches right now, who must endure seven days in hotel quarantine in Joondalup before they are allowed to play West Coast on Saturday night. Irishman Darragh Joyce remained in Melbourne because he attended last week’s Wallabies match at AAMI Park, which has since become an exposure site. The Saints flew 27 players west, including mid-season draftee Cooper Sharman, along with possible inclusions James Frawley, Nick Coffield and Jack Lonie. Injured pair Dan McKenzie (concussion) and Tom Highmore (hand) weren’t on-board when the charter flight took off on Saturday night. At Joondalup the players have an outdoor area and dining room blocked off for them, but outside of that they remain in their rooms.
Last five: v Eagles, v Blues, v Swans, v Geelong, v Dockers
SYDNEY SWANS
Like the Giants, the Swans had to play without several key contributors in the Sydney derby. They, too, had members at the Wallabies-France rugby test last week at AAMI Park, which was later revealed as an exposure site. Callum Mills, Harry Cunningham and Colin O’Riordan were withdrawn, and that trio and Callum Sinclair aren’t able to play this week, either, per Queensland Government rules. The Swans are scheduled to play the Dockers at Metricon Stadium on Sunday. Swans coach John Longmire is optimistic that Mills, Cunningham, O’Riordan and Sinclair will have enough time post-isolation to prepare for the following week’s game. Exercise equipment was delivered to their individual rooms and the club’s head of high performance, Rob Innes – who is also in lockdown – has developed specific programs for them.
Last five: v Freo, v Bombers, v Saints, v Roos, v Gold Coast
WEST COAST
The Eagles jetted back to Perth from Adelaide on Sunday evening after beating the Crows convincingly at Adelaide Oval. They next face St Kilda at Perth Stadium, with the Saints already in Perth, undergoing quarantine so the match can go ahead.
Last five: v St Kilda v Collingwood v Melbourne v Fremantle, v Brisbane
WESTERN BULLDOGS
THE AFL’s fixture flip could deliver a commercial victory for the Western Bulldogs, given their valuable Ballarat home game against Adelaide has been delayed and therefore could be staged in front of a crowd. They took a significant financial hit by playing Melbourne in front of an empty Marvel Stadium earlier this season and now the Demons will suffer a similar cost with the second top-of-the-table clash to go ahead as a ghost game. Quarantined Bulldog Josh Dunkley will return in round 20 and no teammates have been implicated by his dose of bad luck.
Last five: v Demons, v Adelaide, v Bombers, v Hawthorn, v Port
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