Footballs, protein, self-isolation and treadmills as Power and Crows players begin second pre-season alone amid COVID-19 crisis
As the Power started two weeks of isolation, Crows players vowed to begin a second pre-season on their own, including hiring treadmills if the country goes into total lockdown. Brodie Smith and Tom Rockliff take us inside the two clubs.
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As Port Adelaide started two weeks of isolation, Crows players on Monday met and vowed to embark on a second pre-season on their own including hiring treadmills if the nation goes into full lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis.
Brodie Smith and Tom Rockliff told The Advertiser’s Lowdown Podcast that players at both clubs were concerned for their futures – including how they would pay their mortgages – but know it’s a community-wide issue and have called for everyone to play their part in beating the virus.
The Crows met at West Lakes early on Monday morning so some interstate players could return home – knowing when they returned to SA they would also be subject to a two-week isolation period.
“I guess footy is almost the last thing on our mind at the moment, it’s about family, making sure everyone is okay and doing the right things to make sure we can get rid of this virus as quickly as possible,” Smith said.
“But it’s like an off-season where we’ll have programs to keep training for; however long that is, we’re not sure.
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“Nicksy and Sloaney both spoke a little bit about the game on the weekend, but there were a lot of mixed emotions, guys don’t really know how to feel, but we spoke about when we do come back we have to be ready to go.
“Best case we get to June 1 and we’re playing footy again so let’s make sure we do everything possible to stay fit, but do the self-isolation, stay inside with your family to make sure everyone is safe.
“We got (given) footies, protein and stretch bands and the club looked after us with a contact to hire some treadmills so if we do hit that full lockdown stage we can stay at home and jump on the tready for a couple of weeks if need be.
“So, we’ll still do everything we can to keep our fitness and if the footy kicks off again we’ll be ready to go.”
Power players had literally just landed in Adelaide from Brisbane on Sunday afternoon when they turned their phones on and were alerted to the AFL press conference announcing the season was on hold.
They have not seen each other since as they begin two weeks of isolation as per health advice for travelling interstate, and Rockliff has been told not to leave his house.
“I walked in the front door and Gill started speaking, pretty extraordinary circumstances but in the health and safety of everyone around the world it was the right decision,” Rockliff said.
Smith was sitting on the couch at home recovering from Saturday’s loss to Sydney when his phone started buzzing.
“The group WhatsApp started going nuts about ‘what’s going on’ and the news came through and it hit us that the next month or two is going to be very different to what we were expecting,” he said.
“I guess we knew this was coming at some stage, but we didn’t think it would be so soon, we were really keen to get a few games going and coming off the weekend we were disappointed to go down to Sydney and looking at Round 2 straight away which, was going to be a Showdown.
“Now we go into the club for a meeting and we’re done, it’s off-season almost, it’s a very bizarre feeling around the club, some guys are shattered we’re not playing footy and others are wondering what’s going on with pay going forward, some have just bought houses so there’s a lot of mixed emotions at the moment.”
Both Smith and Rockliff are paid monthly and are expected to receive their normal wage next week, but there is no certainty beyond that as the AFL works on a solution with the AFL
Players’ Association which emailed players on Sunday night.
“Yeah we’re going to have to take a pay cut and I think we always understood that, but I think we also understood how important it was that we got out there and played footy (on the weekend),” he said.
“By us not playing now you can see how many people potentially are going to either lose their job or be displaced at the moment work-wise.
“We all have responsibilities and payments to make, as AFL players a lot of people say ‘they’re paid so well they can afford it’ but every situation is very different and it’s going to be an interesting time.
“No doubt there is going to be some short-term pain, but one that we can hopefully get through together as a community.”
Smith said there was similar angst at the Crows amid uncertain futures.
“The AFL and AFLPA are working through that process but we’re not sitting here expecting 100 per cent pay, that’s just not fair at all, we’re not playing footy which means a lot of people around the club aren’t able to work and heaps of people in the industry are going to lose jobs,” Smith said.
Sloaney recorded this message for Crows fans after tonight's game #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/ikC9jsfZyG
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) March 21, 2020
“We can’t expect full pay but what it looks like we haven’t worked through that process yet.
“There are guys who have just bought houses and they’re asking questions about what it looks like, their repayments, are they still going to get paid?
“But we know a lot of people in Australia are in a lot worse position than us, so we are still pretty grateful for what we’ve got, and it’s something that needs to be worked through.”
The Power started its season with a convincing win over Gold Coast albeit in front of an empty Metricon Stadium on Saturday night and Rockliff said some footy was better than none.
“I think it was a good thing, I believe there was good feedback from the community that they enjoyed looking forward to something throughout the day and had the opportunity to watch their teams,” Rockliff said.
“And among the playing group and opposition we were just rapt to be out there and we played a pretty good brand of footy, so we’re disappointed the season isn’t continuing at the moment but we understand the reasons behind it.
“It’s particularly important as AFL players that we (set an example) and self-isolate, and at the end of the day it falls on the individual and I think our playing group understands that.
“In the short term no doubt there’s going to be people who face mental health battles but it’s important we distance ourselves but also check in on people around us and make sure they’re okay.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au
Originally published as Footballs, protein, self-isolation and treadmills as Power and Crows players begin second pre-season alone amid COVID-19 crisis