Four clubs will relocate to Gold Coast hub and families can join them
The AFL says four clubs will relocate to get the AFL season up and going. But two clubs will have to pack up and go before May 25. And one star seems to be embracing the move.
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The AFL confirmed four clubs will relocate to the Gold Coast to get the season underway on July 11.
West Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide and Port Adelaide will all be based on the Gold Coast due to their respective state’s strict border laws.
The Eagles and Dockers will have more time to prepare in their home state given their relaxed restrictions for contact training.
Meanwhile, the Crows and Power will be forced to relocate prior to contact-training resuming on May 25.
The families of relocating players will be able to join them at “any stage” out of the AFL’s pocket.
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“All four teams will relocate to the Gold Coast,” McLachlan said.
“West Coast Eagles and Fremantle will complete the pre-season training block at their home bases before relocating interstate ahead of their first scheduled match.
“Current restrictions in South Australia will mean that Adelaide and Port Adelaide will need to relocate interstate before May 25, when full-contact training will begin for all 18 clubs.
“Players will be able to host family members at any stage during the time away from home, which will be funded by the AFL.”
Asked whether families could ‘fly in, fly out’ to see players, McLachlan said they will be forced to follow Queensland Government regulations.
“I said that the families can go to join the players. They’ll be under the same protocols and under a strict set of protocols that have been worked through with the Queensland Government.
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“The detail will be played out. But the point about it, I think there has been discussion about players being on their own, or are they able to bring partners and families. We’ve facilitated that the players can bring families.
Earlier, West Coast confirmed its relocation to a Gold Coast hub ahead of a season restart.
The Eagles will set up base Royal Pines Golf Club while WA’s borders remain in lockdown
“It’s a good fit for our football club in terms of climate and facility. It’s a good opportunity to gather with some space, there’s good availability for ovals, gyms and aquatic facilities,” Eagles football manager Craig Vozzo said.
“We were all aligned, that Gold Coast is the best option for climate and training facilities. We need to be flexible and are working to get a reasonable run of home games after that.”
“We’re building our schedule as we speak. The accommodation facility looks really impressive. It gives us a good opportunity to set up a good base. We’ve had first-class discussions with both Brisbane and Gold Coast.”
“We are proud that our players and staff are making a sacrifice for the greater good. Our priority is health and well-being and we are confident the players will be able to use the facilities at Royal Pines, rather than a quarantine lockdown situation.”
Vozzo said the Eagles were still working with the AFL on the details for families and staff to stay in the hubs.
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Four clubs will relocate to Gold Coast hub and families can join them
West Coast and Fremantle will be able to remain in Perth in the lead up to the AFL season resumption next month, after Premier Mark McGowan announced full contact training could resume on May 25.
McGowan again pushed for an AFL hub to be based in Perth and hit out at “pampered” Victoria-based players for their resistance to the hub model.
“The Eagles and the Dockers have been terrific out of this, they haven’t complained, they haven’t whinged … they’ve been willing to hub, they’ve been willing to do anything,” Mr McGowan said.
“I think some of these Melbourne teams just aren’t willing to put themselves out or do anything remotely difficult.
“It appears to me Victorian clubs aren’t willing to leave their comfort zone and come over here to hub in Western Australia.
“It’s a little bit rich and it seems to me they’re a little bit pampered.”
The Eagles and Dockers will be allowed to return to their Lathlain and Cockburn bases from next Monday, May 18, for non-contact training and gym work under special conditions.
The Premier said any teams coming to Perth must serve a 14-day quarantine period, but he would welcome the South Australian clubs to a Perth mini-hub.
The Premier also said if the Gold Coast arrangement did not eventuate and the AFL reverted to a hub model than it would allow AFL clubs to undertake full contact training whilst under two week quarantine.
Originally published as Four clubs will relocate to Gold Coast hub and families can join them