AFL releases new fixture as Victorian clubs head to hubs in Queensland and NSW
All 10 Victorian clubs will evacuate the state after this weekend’s matches to avoid the deepening COVID-19 crisis, forcing the AFL to rewrite the 2020 fixture. See where your team is headed and who they’ll play.
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Victoria will be footy free for at least five weeks — and potentially for the rest of the year — under a desperate plan to keep the season alive.
All 10 Victorian clubs will evacuate the state immediately after the completion of this weekend’s round of matches.
Players have been told they will not have to spend more than 32 days on the road, but AFL boss Gillon McLachlan conceded the league might be forced to reassess its options if Victoria’s COVID-19 crisis does not improve.
“It might become more than 32 days, we’ll have to wait and see,” McLachlan said.
“That will depend entirely on what is going in Victoria at the time.
“Five weeks from now we will know a lot more.”
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL FIXTURE FOR ROUNDS 6 AND 7
Round 6 will be played exclusively across venues in New South Wales and Queensland before a hub is opened in Western Australia in time for Round 7.
Collingwood and Geelong will spend a week in Sydney before heading to WA.
While the chances of crowds returning to matches in Melbourne are rapidly diminishing, up to 21,000 fans will be permitted at Gabba for this weekend’s Brisbane Lions vs. Port Adelaide clash.
A capacity crowd of 60,000 will pack Perth’s Optus Stadium for the Eagles vs. Dockers derby in Round 7.
Six Melbourne clubs will be stationed in Queensland hubs: Richmond, Carlton, Essendon, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs on the Gold Coast, and St Kilda in Noosa.
Hawthorn and Melbourne will be stationed in NSW.
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Footy will also return to the Adelaide Oval in Round 7 when the Crows host St Kilda.
The league slotted the match for a Monday night to give the Saints 14 days in quarantine — outside Victoria — before they are allowed to fly into South Australia.
Players will be permitted to take families into the hubs based on individual circumstances, but clubs are expecting several to opt out until football returns to Victoria. Despite the ongoing compromises, McLachlan insisted the 2020 season was legitimate.
“The sheer daily drama we are experiencing is like no other, and for me and our fans it is as exciting as it gets,” McLachlan said.
“The matches are competitive. The competition is even. Different teams are emerging. Ratings are strong across the board.
“How this season is unfolding is unpredictable and unreal.
“I fundamentally believe the team that wins the flag this year will be the team that accepts the change, embraces the change and shows the resilience to get on and just do it.”
The teams are expected to play five games each across 32 days, meaning the league will need squeeze in midweek games.
The AFL will cover the full costs of the hubs.
Players and clubs are hopeful that they will live under more liberal COVID-19 conditions in the interstate hubs.
ROUND 6 FIXTURE
Thursday, July 9
Geelong vs. Brisbane Lions, SCG, 7.40pm
Friday, July 10
Collingwood vs. Hawthorn, Giants Stadium, 7.50pm
Saturday, July 11
Fremantle vs. St Kilda, Metricon Stadium, 12.5pm
West Coast Eagles vs. Adelaide Crows, Gabba, 3.05pm
Melbourne vs. Gold Coast Suns, Giants Stadium, 6.05pm
Essendon vs. North Melbourne, Metricon Stadium, 7.40pm
Sunday, July 12
Port Adelaide vs. GWS Giants, Metricon Stadium, 1.05pm
Richmond vs. Sydney Swans, Gabba, 3.35pm
Carlton vs. Western Bulldogs, Metricon Stadium, 6.45pm
ROUND 7 FIXTURE
Thursday, July 16
Geelong vs. Collingwood, Perth Stadium, 6:10pm
Friday, July 17
Essendon vs. Western Bulldogs, Metricon Stadium, 7.50pm
Saturday, July 18
GWS vs. Brisbane Lions, Giants Stadium, 1.45pm
Sydney Swans vs. Gold Coast Suns, SCG, 4.35pm
Richmond vs. North Melbourne, Metricon Stadium, 7.40pm
Sunday, July 19
Carlton vs. Port Adelaide, Gabba, 1.05pm
Hawthorn vs. Melbourne, Giants Stadium, 3.35pm
Fremantle vs. West Coast Eagles, Perth Stadium, 4.35pm
Monday, July 20
Adelaide Crows vs. St Kilda, Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm
*All times are local
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Originally published as AFL releases new fixture as Victorian clubs head to hubs in Queensland and NSW