West Australian and South Australian clubs to be denied home games due to border controls when AFL resumes
Four clubs won’t host AFL matches when the season resumes as strict border controls force the league’s hand on a revamped fixture for the remainder of 2020.
West Coast
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The AFL will unveil a revamped footy fixture next week without any home games for the four clubs west of the border.
West Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide and Port Adelaide will all be denied home matches for at least the first part of the season under the league’s complex attempt to get the 2020 competition restarted.
But only an abridged fixture detailing the first few rounds of action will be released, giving the AFL flexibility for scheduling in the back half of the season if strict border restrictions in South Australia and Western Australia are eased.
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The Crows and the Power are set to receive a special government exemption, permitting them from avoiding the state’s strict 14-day quarantine rules after returning home from interstate matches.
But interstate teams will not be permitted to enter SA, meaning the two Adelaide teams will be forced to play all of their games on the road until restrictions are lifted.
The Western Australian Government is t aking an even harder lineand will not allow the Eagles and Dockers to fly in and out of Perth without a two-week quarantine.
The two WA clubs will instead be forced to relocate to an eastern seaboard state, most likely Victoria, to allow the competition to restart as early as Thursday, June 18.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook said the AFL’s preferred ‘fly in, fly out’ model was too risky.
“This government won't compromise on the health and safety of its citizens,” Mr Cook said.
“There is no confidence the AFL can maintain infection control and prevent infection spread among players and staff under the current proposed model. There is a risk it could contribute to the further spread of the virus.”
No formal decision has been made in South Australia but Premier Steve Marshall said on Thursday: “It’s quite possible that in the early stages (of the season) South Australian teams will only be playing away games before other teams will be permitted to come back into South Australia.
“South Australian players might be able to train here, stay here in their home state, go out for games but then return in a sort of a semi-quarantine situation, so they can still train and they can still get to the next game.
“That’s one of the options that’s being considered but a lot of it is going to depend on when is the season starting and what the infection rate is with the various jurisdictions at that time.”
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has hit out at Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein for suggesting the state is unwilling to host AFL games without crowds.
“I've got to say that's very shortsighted and very selfish,” Kennett said of the Apple Isle decision.
Crows CEO Andrew Fagan said: “Our wish will always be to play games under a traditional home and away format, which includes hosting opposition teams at Adelaide Oval and in a perfect world with our members and fans in attendance to cheer us on.
“However, in these unprecedented times, we will always heed the advice and direction of medical experts and acknowledge that we must put the health and wellbeing of the community first and foremost.
“With this in mind, our club is open minded and willing to be flexible to ensure the return of football as soon as possible.
“We are also aware of ongoing discussions between the AFL and State Government, albeit our club is not directly involved.”
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Originally published as West Australian and South Australian clubs to be denied home games due to border controls when AFL resumes
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