Adelaide implements coronavirus strategies, fear captain Rory Sloane might play his 200th game in an empty stadium
The Adelaide Crows are in a “mini-lockdown” as they prepare to play in front of empty stadiums or have games suspended throughout the season.
Crows
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crows. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Adelaide Football Club is in “mini-lockdown’’ as the club braces itself for playing in empty stadiums or having games suspended this season.
As the NBA sensationally suspended its season on Thursday after Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert reportedly tested positive for coronavirus, the Crows implemented new health protocols and experienced utility Brodie Smith said he feared how the AFL season could pan out.
Nine days before Adelaide is due to start its premiership season campaign against Sydney at Adelaide Oval, Smith said the players had discussed the possibility of chairing new captain Rory Sloane, who is due to play his 200th game against the Swans, off the field in front of no spectators.
Watch every match of every round of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“We did joke that if Sloaney gets up for his 200th game in round one he could be chaired off to nothing,’’ Smith said.
“I hope it doesn't come to that because it would be quite strange.’’
Smith’s press conference was held outdoors at the club’s Football Park headquarters rather than in the media room as the Crows implemented coronavirus procedures.
New leadership member Smith said the players had been briefed about hygiene as the debilitating virus continues to spread.
“There’s a lot more precaution around things like little head colds, people going to different places and even people coming to the footy club,’’ Smith said.
“It's almost like a mini-lockdown at the club and trying to do everything you can to keep yourself hygienic, using hand sanitiser and all that sort of stuff., which is quite tough for a few footballers around the joint.
“(Previously) if anyone was sick and had a sniffle, you’d probably just get through the day, train and then go home.
“Now it’s just go home and rest up.’’
Smith said the possibility of playing in empty stadiums was “really strange’’.
“We are used to a packed house at Adelaide Oval and for no-one to be there and just have our voices echoing around the stadium would be quite strange and obviously would be really disappointing for the fans and for us players because we love playing in front of the fans and they love coming to the footy,’’ he said.
“Hopefully it doesn’t get to that.’’
The Crows aren’t the only AFL club implementing procedures to protect their staff and players against the spread of coronavirus.
Melbourne has segregated its football programs by sending the men’s team to train at Casey Fields, Collingwood cancelled its Friday night opening training session, its “2020 Kick-Off” event, Richmond closed its doors to external visitors and is not scheduling open training sessions for the immediate future and Port Adelaide and St Kilda have limited the number of visitors that come through the club.