Rory Laird supports the idea of AFL ‘quarantine hubs’ as a means to get season 2020 back up and running
Star Adelaide Crows defender Rory Laird says he’ll back whatever proposal gets the AFL season restarted, but understands if some of his fellow players are apprehensive.
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Star Adelaide Crows defender Rory Laird says he is on board with most of the “ideas that are thrown up” to restart the AFL season, but understands if some of his fellow players are apprehensive.
Recent declines in coronavirus infection rates have sparked growing optimism that AFL footy could return with a 17-game season as early as July.
Informal talks have been held between the AFL and the government about a resumption, which would depend on COVID-19 infection rates continuing to fall.
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Last week, the AFL told clubs in a memo that “quarantine hubs”, in which teams would be split up and based in areas around Australia where there are low infection rates of the virus, could be established to get some of the remaining 144 games away.
Some players are apprehensive about the plan, which could have them way from families for up to six weeks, but Laird was supportive of the proposal.
“I’m open to pretty much any idea to get back and playing,” he said on ABC Grandstand SA.
“I think there would be a few people who would be sceptical, but I’m open to most ideas that are thrown up.
“You can understand some guys who may have to leave their families at home, and be away for a long period of time.
“But I just want to get back out there and play … I think I’m definitely ready to play and that’s the same for the most of the playing group.
“I think most blokes are itching to get out.”
South Australia could be one of these quarantine hubs, with the state mentioned alongside Tasmania, Western Australia, northern Queensland and the Northern Territory.
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While Laird was open to the idea of quarantine hubs, he wasn’t a fan of former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse’s suggestion all Round 1 results should be scrapped when the season resumes even though the Crows would be a beneficiary of this.
Laird, like the rest of the Crows players, is only able to train with one fellow teammate because of social distancing measures and holding out for updates from the club.
“I think they are just waiting on their orders to come through from the government and what restrictions there are, and when they will be lifted,” he said.
“So, once the club knows, they relay it back to us … what we can and can’t do, and where we can and can’t go, et cetera.”
Laird has been using the increased free time to study for the Bachelor of Business course he is enrolled in.