Gates closed for fans for AFLW matches from Saturday onwards, Richmond AFLW midfielder Lauren Tesoriero in isolation due to coronavirus
Will the government fan ban see the AFLW play in front of no fans this weekend? The competition has made a call on whether supporters will be allowed to attend matches in Round 6.
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There will be no fans at AFL Women’s from tomorrow.
Tonight’s clash between Geelong and North Melbourne will be open to supporters but the league has confirmed that as of Saturday gates will be closed.
“As of Saturday March 14 ... AFLW matches will only host players, coaches, essential club officials, umpires, AFL officials, broadcast teams, media & required venue staff with no supporters permitted to attend,” the league said in a statement.
The AFL has moved ahead of the government’s advisory to cancel mass gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday onwards.
As of Saturday March 14, NAB AFLW matches will only host players, coaches, essential club officials, umpires, AFL officials, broadcast teams, media & required venue staff with no supporters permitted to attend.
— AFL House (@AFL_House) March 13, 2020
COVID-19 concern strikes Tigers
Richmond’s coronavirus precaution has been taken up a notch with midfielder Lauren Teseriero to miss Saturday’s clash with St Kilda due to being in isolation.
The Tigers have closed their Punt Rd headquarters to external visitors and says there are no open training sessions until further notice.
Teseriero’s housemate recently returned from Japan and while neither of the pair have exhibited symptoms for the easily-transmissible COVID-19 virus, the Tiger has been quarantined just to be sure.
“Club medical staff - in conjunction with the AFL - have taken an ultra cautious approach given she shares a house with someone who recently returned from overseas,” Richmond said in a statement.
“Lauren’s housemate returned from Japan on Tuesday night. Despite having no contact with her housemate that evening, Lauren was sent home from the club on Wednesday.
“Neither Lauren or her housemate are displaying any symptoms but in the current environment the club and the AFL felt a period of isolation was the best course of action.”
Teseriero, 33, works at Punt Road as a recruiter, famously drafting herself to the club in the 2019 draft.
She previously played at Collingwood before joining the Tigers’ inaugural AFL Women’s campaign.
It marks a tumultuous week at Richmond after senior assistant coach Jacob Thompson left the club after a difference in “coaching philosophies”.
Skipper Katie Brennan is set to miss a second straight game after she was concussed in Round 4.
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Originally published as Gates closed for fans for AFLW matches from Saturday onwards, Richmond AFLW midfielder Lauren Tesoriero in isolation due to coronavirus