AFL Covid news: How every club is being impacted by the latest outbreaks and lockdowns
The NRL was rejected by the QLD Government on Thursday but the AFL is comfortable with its transition hub proposal for families and partners. Here’s the latest.
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The AFL has a proposal in front of the Queensland Government for a potential transition hub in the Sunshine State for partners and families of Swans and Giants players and staff.
The two Sydney clubs are more than three weeks removed from being home because of the concerning Covid-19 situation in NSW, and on Thursday relocated from Victoria to Queensland to escape lockdown.
It’s believed the big difference in negotiations this time, compared to last year, is the more contagious Delta strain of the virus.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan briefed the Swans and Giants on Friday morning, but there is still no major movement in reuniting them with their loved ones.
The Herald Sun understands the league is comfortable where the sensitive discussions are at.
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About 100 people connected to the two clubs have expressed initial interest in being part of a transition hub.
Part of the briefing included McLachlan assuring them that the NRL’s rejection from the Queensland Government on Thursday night was a different situation to the AFL’s process.
The AFL has known for some time that this submission would have to be sophisticated and in-depth to win government approval.
It’s believed the two clubs are keen for partners and families to avoid a hard quarantine scenario for the 14 days they would have to complete before being free to join the teams.
They would still stay in an isolated hotel facility, but would ideally like to be able to move freely around to use conference spaces, meal rooms – where they could eat together – and a pool.
The exact information the Queensland Government requires from the AFL, Swans and Giants is unclear.
However, it revolves around things such as where the families and partners live, their movements and possible exposure to red zone sites, whether they tested positive previously, and how many children there will be compared to adults.
The AFL would likely have to provide someone, or multiple people, to oversee the strict conditions that would potentially be in place, or contract that job to someone else.
Meanwhile, the Swans and Giants completed their main training sessions on Friday ahead of their rescheduled clash at Metricon Stadium on Sunday night.
Sydney trained at the Gabba, while Greater Western Sydney used Gold Coast’s facilities adjacent to Metricon Stadium.
The Giants are set to move into the Royal Pines Resort on Friday night, while the Swans will relocate from Brisbane to the Gold Coast on Saturday.
MCG bar exposure site upgraded as more cases emerge
- Rebecca Williams
A bar in the MCG members area has been upgraded to a Tier 1 exposure site following two more positive cases emerging from the Carlton-Geelong clash on Saturday.
The AFL has released a statement saying people who were in the Percy Beames Bar at the ground between 4-4.30pm and 5.20-5.50pm had to immediately isolate, get a test, and quarantine for 14 days.
The AFL statement said:
The AFL advises anyone who attended the MCC Members’ Reserve area at the Carlton vs Geelong Cats on Saturday July 10 are to follow the updated advice from the Victorian Department of Health.
The Percy Beames Bar on Level 2 of the Members’ Reserve is now a classified a Tier 1 exposure site between 4:00 and 4:30pm, and between 5:20 and 5:50pm. If you were at that bar during any of those times, you must immediately isolate, get a test, and quarantine for 14 days following the exposure.
Additionally, all other sections of the MCC Members’ Reserve are now classified as a Tier 2 exposure site.
If you attended the match on Saturday and visited the MCC Members’ Reserve area between 4:00pm and 8:00pm you must immediately get tested and isolate until you receive a negative test
This includes all seating levels, function rooms, bathrooms, bars and / or used the lifts.
All patrons who attended the MCC Members’ Reserve are currently being contacted by the Victorian Department of Health.
The Percy Beames Bar on Level 2 of the MCC Reserve is now a Tier 1 exposure site between 4:00 and 4:30pm, and between 5:20 and 5:50pm. If you were here during any of those times, you must immediately isolate, get a test, and quarantine for 14 days following the exposure.
— Melbourne Cricket Ground (@MCG) July 15, 2021
All sections of the MCC Reserve between 4pm and 8pm– not just Level 2 – is now a Tier 2 exposure site. If you attended the game in these sections, you will be contacted by the Department of Health to advise you if you are Tier 1 or Tier 2 – please isolate until contacted.
— Melbourne Cricket Ground (@MCG) July 15, 2021
Members of the working media and / or broadcast teams who worked at the match on Saturday – if you used any of the lifts in the MCC Members’ Reserve to access the MCG broadcast area - you are to immediately get tested and isolate until you receive a negative test.
The MCC Members’ Reserve operates as its own zone compared to the rest of the Ground, is only accessible via Gate 2 and is classified as Zone 2 within the MCG’s COVID-19 operations.
Other people who attended Saturday’s match but were not in the MCC Members’ Reserve are advised to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they become unwell.
The AFL, in conjunction with all AFL venues nationally, have ensured each match has a COVIDSafe Event Plan that is endorsed by the relevant State Department of Health. Each plan has specific measures in place to reduce any potential risk, including the sectioning of grounds to limit patron movement and implementation of both ticketing data capture and QR code scans for efficient contact tracing purposes.
The AFL and the MCG have prepared for this situation in multiple simulations, with contact information linked to ticketing data and QR codes.
HOW COVID NIGHTMARE IS IMPACTING YOUR CLUB
The AFL landscape is changing by the hour as the league attempts to outrun the latest Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns.
How is your club being impacted? And what is Round 18 and the coming weeks going to look like?
Check out our club-by-club wrap below.
ADELAIDE
The Crows play West Coast at home this Sunday, but were then scheduled to head to Melbourne to tackle the Bulldogs in Round 19. That game could be played in Queensland, as the Dogs are on the Gold Coast this weekend.
Next four: v Eagles, v Bulldogs, v Hawthorn, v Port
BRISBANE
The Lions flew to Melbourne on Wednesday for what should have been a clash against Richmond at the MCG on Friday night but had to turn around and go home on Thursday after the match was moved to Metricon Stadium. Their next clash is against Hawthorn, again at the MCG. This could take some navigating.
Next four: v Tigers, v Hawks, v Suns, v Dockers
CARLTON
Will play the Magpies at the MCG this Sunday – without a crowd. The Blues are then scheduled to face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium in Round 19. It would mean North flying back from Queensland after this weekend. Up in the air.
Next four: v Magpies, v Kangaroos, v Saints, v Suns
COLLINGWOOD
The likelihood of more “sterile corridors” ahead. The Magpies face the Blues at an empty MCG on Sunday and then are drawn to tackle Port at Adelaide Oval the following week. Last time SA slammed its border on Victoria, the Magpies had to fly into Adelaide well ahead of schedule, return two negative tests and wait around for hours in an indoor cricket centre before the game.
Next four: v Blues, v Port, v Eagles, v Hawks
ESSENDON
Originally scheduled to play North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, the Bombers fly out to Queensland on a charter flight with the Kangaroos to Queensland Thursday afternoon. Their Round 18 clash is now at Metricon Stadium on Sunday. The Bombers are scheduled to play the Giants in Round 19. Both teams are now in Queensland.
Next four: v Kangaroos, v Giants, v Swans, v Bulldogs
FREMANTLE
The Dockers tackle Geelong at home on Thursday night and are likely to fly to Queensland the following week to play Sydney in Round 19.
Next four: v Cats, v Swans, v Tigers, v Lions
GEELONG
There’s a possibility the Cats could be kept out of Victoria following Thursday night’s game in Perth and meet the Tigers in Queensland or in Perth for their Round 19 clash. If Melbourne emerges from lockdown quickly, the clash could be back at the MCG.
Next four: v Dockers, v Tigers, v Kangaroos, v Giants
GOLD COAST
The Suns are scheduled to tackle the Demons in Darwin for Round 19 on Saturday, July 24. Hard to see that match being played in the NT.
Next four: v Bulldogs, v Demons, v Lions, v Blues
GWS GIANTS
Along with Sydney, the competition nomads. At 8.30pm on Wednesday they expected to be in Melbourne for six weeks. By noon the next day they were in Queensland. AFL working to reunite the players with their families and partners in coming weeks. Playing the Sydney Derby at Metricon Stadium on Sunday night.
Next four: v Swans, v Bombers, v Port, v Cats
HAWHORN
In a weird spot. The Hawks play Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday and are scheduled to tackle the Lions at the MCG the following week. Might need clearance to get out of Victoria.
Next four: v Demons, v Lions, v Crows, v Magpies
MELBOURNE
In same position as Hawthorn. Hard to see the Demons playing the Suns in Darwin in Round 19 as scheduled.
Next four: v Hawks, v Suns, v Dogs, v Eagles
NORTH MELBOURNE
Joined Essendon in fleeing Victoria on a charter flight on Thursday afternoon to Queensland where they will play their Round 18 clash against the Bombers. The Kangaroos are scheduled to play Carlton in Round 19 at Marvel Stadium. Watch this space.
Next four: v Bombers, v Blues, v Cats, v Tigers
PORT ADELAIDE
Looked to be one of the safer teams on Wednesday. Now Port is the only interstate team expected to fly into locked-down Melbourne – to tackle St Kilda on Saturday night. If it goes ahead, will need to work a deal with the hardlined SA government to get home.
Next four: v Saints, v Magpies, v Giants, v Crows
RICHMOND
Should have been a celebration of Jack Riewoldt’s 300th game in front of his home crowd at the MCG. Now the Tigers’ Friday night clash against the Brisbane Lions is at Metricon Stadium. The Tigers are scheduled to face the Cats at the MCG in Round 19. So a possible Grand Final rematch could now be at The Gabba.
Next four: v Lions, v Cats, v Dockers, v Kangaroos
ST KILDA
Many expected the Saints to be jetted out of Melbourne before the midnight Thursday curfew, but the AFL kept them in Vic to host Port at Marvel. Hard to see them getting into Perth to tackle West Coast the following week.
Next four: v Port, v Eagles, v Blues, v Swans
SYDNEY
In the exact same position as the Giants. The finals-bound Swans will be desperate to be reunited with loved ones after several weeks out of red-zone Sydney. The Swans were scheduled to face the Dockers at GMHBA Stadium in Round 19. That game will be in Queensland.
Next four: v Giants, v Dockers, v Bombers, v Saints
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WEST COAST
Hard task for the Eagles being based in the most Covid-shy state. WA was the first state to slam its border to Victoria this week. Easy for the Eagles to get out of Perth, hard to get home.
Next four: v Crows, v Saints, v Magpies, v Demons
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Western Bulldogs flew their round 18 squad to Gold Coast early for Saturday’s game against the Suns at Metricon Stadium, taking No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, fringe midfielder Riley Garcia and returning stars Josh Dunkley and Aaron Naughton. The Bulldogs could be looking for an alternative venue for their clash against Adelaide at Mars Stadium in Round 19.
Next four: v Suns, v Crows, v Demons, v Bombers
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