‘We’ll play anywhere, anytime’, to get AFL season restarted, says Adelaide Crows chairman Rob Chapman

Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman says the chances of resuming the AFL season are becoming increasingly better, and his club will do whatever it takes to ensure it happens – whether it’s playing at home, or interstate.

Crows forward Taylor Walker is tackled by Sydney’s Callum Mills (left) and Sam Naismith during the round one clash at Adelaide Oval. Picture Sarah Reed

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Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman says his club is prepared to play “anywhere and anytime’’ to get the AFL season restarted, including quarantine hubs interstate.

While the Crows would prefer to play in a quarantine hub in South Australia – and he says they have the backing of SANFL clubs to use their venues – Chapman said his team would happily play in Victoria or other states.

“We are up for it, we’re used to travelling,’’ he said.

“We just want to get the competition up and running, so we’d be happy to play anywhere, anytime, as long as the boys are safe and conditions are right.’’

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The AFL – desperate to reignite its season after it was postponed following round one due to the COVID-19 pandemic – has been investigating three quarantine hubs, where six clubs would each be placed to play a series of matches.

SA, because of its low coronavirus numbers, has been mooted as a likely quarantine host, with Adelaide and Port Adelaide to be among six clubs to play in the state.

Crows players congratulate captain Rory Sloane (middle) after he kicked a goal in the round one loss to Sydney before the competition was halted. Picture: Sarah Reed

But it emerged on the weekend that the AFL is concerned that Adelaide Oval would be too big an advantage for the Crows and Power and that it would prefer them to play interstate, possibly in Tasmania or the Northern Territory.

“We’d love to host something here in South Australia, I think we are really well placed to, particularly given our COVID-19 results in recent days,’’ Chapman told ABC Grandstand.

“We’ve got the resources, we’re a footy state, so we’ve got access to some great ovals, like Unley, Richmond, Glenelg and Norwood, and I’m sure we could work with the SANFL to utilise some of their premises and ovals.

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“I’ve spoken to one of the SANFL presidents and he’s offered up his club’s resources if that was to occur and we played here.

“So, we’d love to host something here but we are also up for travelling to wherever because it’s important we get a competition away this year.’’

The AFL appears increasingly confident that it will be able to fit a 17-round season in this year and will announce further plans by the end of April.

It is understood games, to be played without crowds, could resume in early July, with July 10 pencilled in as a possible start date.

Adelaide Crows chairman Rob Chapman. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

Chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the season wouldn’t get back underway without the blessing of relevant state and federal medical authorities.

The league has worked with those authorities and international sporting codes to come up with a strict set of protocols that would help safeguard players in a hub scenario.

“You clearly need venues, options with centralised accommodation, you need training facilities, you need medical facilities and they’re all being assessed – in every state and territory,’’ McLachlan said.

Chapman said the clubs were so confident in a season restarting that it now appeared a case of “when, not if’’.

“People do need to understand the significance of playing this year, it means a lot to us in terms of revenue, via the broadcaster, it means a lot in playing games and allowing members to extract some value from memberships, and sponsors,’’ he said.

“If we can get the remaining 144 games away, it won’t look like what it has before, but it’s critical and as every day goes by it’s looking more and more imminent.

“Speaking to the players, they are eager for it, we all want games and if we can get up and running it will be a huge benefit to us and society in general.’’