AFLW 2022: Fixture reshuffle as Covid tears through two clubs
Playing lists have been decimated by Covid at two AFLW clubs, forcing the league into a sudden reshuffle to ensure this weekend’s round continues.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two AFL Women’s games this weekend have been cancelled and one re-fixtured after Covid protocols wreaked havoc for two clubs.
Playing stocks at the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane have been decimated due to health and safety protocols meaning both sides could not field a team this weekend.
The Western Bulldogs’ clash with Geelong has been postponed, as has Brisbane’s meeting with Carlton.
Geelong will now host Carlton on Saturday night at GMHBA Stadium.
League rules dictate that teams must have at least 16 senior players available to play, with five top-up players permitted from the team’s train-on player stocks.
The league said it would endeavour to fixture a match between the Dogs and Lions “as soon as it is safe and practical to do so”.
Stream every match of the 2022 NAB AFLW Season Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
“While Covid-19 continues to impact the competition, the health and welfare of those in our game and the wider community remains the priority,” league general manager of competition management Laura Kane said.
“In line with the AFLW’s Covid Match Rescheduling Guidelines — which states a team is required to have a minimum 16 primary-listed players and five train-on players available to play — the league received requests from the Brisbane Lions and the Western Bulldogs football clubs which detailed multiple players from each respective club’s AFLW program had entered AFL Health and Safety Protocols this week.
“As a result, we have updated the Round Two fixture to ensure teams who were able to play this weekend could play.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and will work closely with both clubs on a revised fixture and, together with the AFLPA, support all players impacted.”
The Herald Sun understands that the league considered playing the Geelong v Western Bulldogs game during the week next week, but that was quashed with a number of players and staff in isolation.
It is understood that as many as 12 Western Bulldogs players — including captain Ellie Blackburn — are currently affected under the protocols.
When teams were named on Thursday night, Melbourne named seven players as unavailable due to health and safety protocols, including Shelley Scott and Maddi Gay.
Richmond named two players as sidelined.
The protocols continue to ravage all AFL Women’s clubs, with the question raised as to how smoothly the season can run as the spread of the Omicron variant runs rampant in Victoria and New South Wales.
West Coast and Fremantle are set to spend at least a month in Victoria to play their games given the strict Western Australian border situation.
But the league remains firm that it is determined to playing the season and awarding a premier.
“We remain committed to delivering a full season in a safe manner anchored in the advice of respective governments and public health officials,” Kane said.
Fixture changes loom as another club in Covid chaos
Fixture changes are in the works for AFL Women’s games this weekend.
The Herald Sun understands that at least one game is set to be changed in the wake of the Western Bulldogs’ Covid wipe-out.
It is understood that at least one other club is in the same situation.
Clubs who have enough players available could have their fixture changed just days out from the game to play another team.
The league is working around the clock today in an effort to sort the issue, which is developing by the hour. A call is expected to come as soon as today.
Clubs have to have at least 16 senior players available for a game to be played, with the list to be topped up by train-on players.
If they have less than 16 available, the game could be postponed or even cancelled.
It is understood that the league considered playing the Western Bulldogs’ game against Geelong - which had been scheduled for Saturday night - during the week but that plan has been sidelined for the time being.
AFLW fixture chaos: Covid protocols down Dogs
An AFL Women’s game scheduled for this weekend could be in doubt due to Covid-19 protocols.
The Western Bulldogs clash with Geelong - set for Saturday night at GMHBA Stadium - could be forced to be postponed due to player availability.
The Herald Sun revealed on Wednesday that the Bulldogs were scrambling to have enough players available, with the club confirming late on Wednesday that a number of staff were also affected by isolation rules.
“The Bulldogs will continue to work closely with the AFL to determine the next course of action in relation to the club’s ability to participate in this weekend’s fixture,” the club said.
“The health and safety of staff remains paramount for the club and the AFL as the football industry continues to navigate its way through the pandemic.”
The Western Bulldogs have a significant portion of their senior list, including skipper Ellie Blackburn, currently in isolation due to state government Covid-19 rules and the AFL Health and Safety Protocols.
The AFL is monitoring the situation and will not make a call on the game’s status until closer to the date and until the situation becomes clearer.
AFL Women’s clubs need to have 16 senior listed players available for a game to go ahead, to be supplemented by top-up players who have been training with teams in recent weeks.
If a team has less than 16 senior players available, games could be rescheduled or even cancelled under the league’s contingency plans.
The AFL remains committed to getting AFLW games played and awarding a premier in coming months.
The Cats also have several players in isolation.
The situation raises questions about how the ongoing Covid situation can be managed if games are already being affected.
MORE TO COME...
Saints coach grounded by Covid protocols
St Kilda AFLW coach Nick Dal Santo will miss this weekend’s clash against Collingwood due the AFL’s Covid-19 health and safety protocols.
Dal Santo is the latest to miss a regular season fixture after Roos captain Emma Kearney missed last weekend’s season opener.
Dogs skipper Ellie Blackburn is also reportedly in doubt for this weekend’s game with the Dogs to make a call on selection on Thursday.
Saints Head of Player Development and Strategy Paddy Hill will replace Dal Santo as coach this weekend.
“As with everyone at the moment, we have to remain flexible and roll with the punches,” Head of St Kilda AFLW Tessie McManus said.
“Nick will still be heavily involved in our program, albeit offsite for the next few days.
“I have no doubt Paddy will do an excellent job coaching the side this week.
Dal Santo is said to be recovering well and is expected to return early next week.
‘Feeling fine’: Champion Cat confirms Covid diagnosis
Tom Hawkins has confirmed he’s the latest AFL player to be struck down with Covid-19.
The champion Cats full forward took to social media revealing he’s currently on day three of seven in his isolation requirements.
“Feeling fine. Family are negative,” Hawkins said on Instagram.
“Once again @emmahawkins_ is holding down the fort for us!”
Hawkins is one of many AFL players to miss the first week of pre-season training for 2022, with senior officials from several clubs telling News Corp last week they would be missing between 5-15 players this week because they either had Covid-19 or were deemed a close contact.
Essendon captain Dyson Heppell said on Monday around 20 Bombers players and staff were out of action due to Covid-19 protocols.
Hawthorn defender James Sicily was another player to reveal he contracted the virus during the Christmas off-season period.
Thin on deck, so why are Bombers flying in Covid war zone?
– Dylan Bolch
Around 20 Essendon players and staff members have missed the first men’s pre-season session of the year due to COVID-19 isolation requirements.
The Bombers not impacted by the virus hit the track as captain Dyson Heppell said clubs would look to overseas sporting competitions on how best to manage the season as the highly infectious omicron variant has continued to cause headaches in leagues across the world.
News Corp revealed last week that some of the Bombers players were believed to have had contracted the virus while attending teammate Michael Hurley’s wedding on December 29.
“We had a few missing today. It was great to get back into action but we were a bit thin on numbers,” Heppell said.
“The guys have handled it really well and been really clear with protocols and taking all measures to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
The Bombers are not the first club to be impacted by the virus this off-season, with the Sydney Swans having their own outbreak last month.
While senior AFL club officials confirmed to News Corp last week some clubs would be missing between 5-15 players this week because they either had Covid-19 or were deemed a close contact.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on sport worldwide and Heppell said that the Bombers can draw upon what has happened in both Europe and America throughout various sporting competitions to give the Bombers an edge heading into 2022.
“The teams that are handling it best and managing to stay healthy are moving up the ladder,” he said.
“Majority of the list, bar Covid issues, are healthy and training properly.”
In more positive news for Bombers fans, Heppell and superstar Jake Stringer trained strongly and are ready to continue their pre-season at full tilt.
The skipper said that his body is feeling “the best it has in six years” as he looks to overcome a series of lower leg and foot injuries.
The 29-year-old managed 19 games throughout the 2021 season, primarily playing off halfback as Essendon transitioned towards a new-look midfield. He averaged 24.7 disposals throughout his campaign and his composure and leadership helped to assure the Essendon defence.
Small forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has returned to the club following his absence last year and “is in really good spirits”.
Heppell is confident that the cult-hero can recapture his best form, which has captivated football fans across the country.
“He is a star … we will support him as much as possible to get his body back in good nick and I can’t wait to play with him again soon,” Heppell said.
Michael Hurley is “progressing well” in his recovery from a hip infection that caused him to miss the entirety of the 2021 season. However, no time frame has been put on his return to the field and it appears unlikely that he will be ready for Round 1.
“His energy that he brings around the club is fantastic and it would be bloody good to see him back out on the track”.
The Dons are looking to use last season’s improvement as a launch pad heading into the new season and the playing group are hungry for success in 2022.
“We really enjoyed last season and felt like we made some fantastic inroads but to bow out like that was pretty disappointing,” Heppell said.
“There’s a lot of drive and hunger among the group.”
The Bombers have scheduled a practice match with the Western Bulldogs and will face St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in the AAMI Community Series on March 5 as they gear up towards their season opener against Geelong in Round 1.
More Coverage
Originally published as AFLW 2022: Fixture reshuffle as Covid tears through two clubs
Cats prelim preparations rocked as coach collapses at training
Chris Scott says Geelong is dealing with a “quite confronting” scenario after its preliminary final preparations were rocked when assistant coach Steven King collapsed at training.
Angry Essendon members to turn away over steep price rises
Essendon fans are not happy with an increase in price of over $100 on select memberships. The Bombers are defending the decision despite the consequence of losing members.