AFL to release new fixture for first matches of footy’s restart in next 10 days
The AFL has confirmed when the season will resume but who will your team be playing against when matches begin? Get the latest on the new fixture and the league’s plans for the Grand Final.
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The AFL will not release its new fixture for the restart of the 2020 season until at least next week.
As reported by the Sunday Herald Sun, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed the season will resume on Thursday June 11 but which teams would play in the restart opener is not locked in.
It is believed a blockbuster between reigning premiers Richmond and preliminary finalists Collingwood at the MCG is likely to be the first game.
While it had been mooted clubs would need to prepare to play multiple games within a short time frame, the plan for the new fixture will run with its usual structure of matches on weekends.
The AFL will release the fixture in blocks of four to six rounds.
“In order to maintain flexibility and given that some states still have restrictions in place, the AFL will release the remaining 144 games plus finals of 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership fixture in blocks of up to 4-6 weeks,” McLachlan said.
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“The first block of games will be released over the next 10 days with games in the early part of the season being scheduled at AFL venues in states that have approved full-contact training and matches.”
It means matches will not be played in South Australia or Western Australia at this stage, with Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Fremantle and West Coast to move into hubs in another state for the season’s restart.
The Eagles today confirmed it will relocate its football program to Queensland for at least a month and be based at the Royal Pines Resort, which is close to Metricon Stadium and approximately 80km from the Gabba
It means West Coast will play “home” matches in Queensland.
McLachlan conceded having a crowd at this year’s Grand Final, expected to be played in mid-October, was unlikely.
“It’s less likely than likely, but I’ll leave that with the people making the decisions,” he said.
“Yeah, clearly (the MCG is the preference). The challenge will be the exact date. If you said late in October, there’s a T20 World Cup. There’s just a lot of moving pieces.
“Clearly Marvel is there if we needed it.
“We’ll work around (other sports). We have the flexibility to do it and wherever we land, we’ll work with other sports.”
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Originally published as AFL to release new fixture for first matches of footy’s restart in next 10 days