Timeline: How coronavirus chaos stopped the AFL in a matter days
Just 15 days ago more than 80,000 fans crammed the MCG for the Women’s T20 World Cup. The country has changed radically since with footy played behind locked doors before a complete suspension. How did it unfold so suddenly?
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In this current coronavirus climate, the saying “a week is a long time in footy” has become a massive understatement.
Following the AFL’s decision to shut down the season after just one round at empty stadiums, it’s incredible to think that only 15 days ago that a record Aussie crowd for a female sporting even packed the MCG for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Since then the coronavirus threat has rapidly escalated to the point where nearly every major sporting code or event across the globe has been suspended or cancelled.
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The landscape was not only changing daily, but hourly, and it quickly became inevitable the AFL competition would also be hit.
Here’s how the chaos unfolded:
March 8: Australia wins the Women’s T20 World Cup final against India in front of 86,174 fans at the MCG.
March 9: A Fremantle player is test for coronavirus. Major tennis tournament Indian Wells is cancelled.
March 10: Fremantle utility Sam Switkowski is cleared of coronavirus. Clubs consider a range of measures to protect their players from coronavirus.
March 11: AFL clubs begin limiting contact between players and fans. Western Bulldogs players were banned from mingling with supporters at their season launch. Collingwood cancels an opening training session for the following day.
March 12: The AFL is confronted with the possibility Round 1 could be postponed after the NBA was suspended following Utah’s Rudy Gobert positive test to coronavirus. AFL chief medical officer Peter Harcourt cancels his trip to Europe. Formula One team McLaren withdraws from the Australian Grand Prix after one of its member tests positive to the COVID-19 virus.
March 13: AFL announces fans will be banned from Round 1 games. The league reportedly asks the Melbourne Cricket Club about conducting finals in October. Events with crowds of more than 500 people are banned leading to the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix.
March 14: Radical plan proposed for AFL clubs to play as many as five games in three weeks with the AFL still hopeful of playing out a 22-round season.
March 16: The AFL season is cut from 22 games to 17 games with chief executive Gillon McLachlan unable to guarantee whether the season-opener between Richmond and Carlton will go ahead. Collingwood confirms captain Scott Pendlebury had been quarantined and was tested for COVID-19.
March 17: AFL delays making a decision on starting Round 1 until the following day. Pendlebury is cleared to play.
March 18: The AFL gives the green light for Round 1 to proceed without fans and with shorter matches, which comes as the Federal Government implement new restrictions limiting indoor gatherings to 100 people.
March 19: Richmond and Carlton kicks off the AFL season at an empty MCG. Earlier in the day the Victorian Government was in talks with the AFL about a financial bailout to save the league. Australia closes its borders.
March 20: AFL outlines stricter hygiene protocols after Richmond and Carlton players high-fived after goals, shared water bottles and linked arms while singing the club song. Tasmania announces all visitors will have to self-isolate for 14 days.
March 21: Collingwood reveals a staffer has tested positive to COVID-19 after returning from an overseas trip, but had no contact with players or the football department.
March 22: AFL suspends 2020 season until May 31, which was announced at 4.30pm midway through the Hawthorn-Brisbane clash. South Australian, Western Australia and Northern Territory also ban non-essential travel.
March 23: Non-essential businesses go into lockdown from midday.
Originally published as Timeline: How coronavirus chaos stopped the AFL in a matter days