Three Victorian teams unlikely to head west to Perth hub
The AFL is remaining tight-lipped about who is set to relocate to the Perth hub. While they haven’t been assured, there are three Victorian clubs who may escape such a fate. Here’s why.
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The AFL has made no promises to Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne that they will avoid relocating to a Perth hub this season.
But there is a firm belief in club land that they are the Victorian clubs least likely to pack their bags for an extended stay across the Nullarbor.
The Tigers, Demons and Bombers are in the box seat to stay at home because they will all have played either West Coast or Fremantle by the conclusion of Round 5.
Clubs therefore believe it would be illogical and a waste of time, effort and resources to send them into a Perth hub, given they will each only have one West Australian club left to play in 2020.
The Demons travelled to Perth to play West Coast in Round 1, the Bombers hosted Fremantle in Round 1 and the Tigers will play the Eagles at Metricon Stadium in Round 5.
The AFL declined to comment to the Sunday Herald Sun on its fixture plans with the league closely guarding every detail, even from club bosses, because of the flexibility required in 2020.
Brisbane Lions, Port Adelaide and Gold Coast are certain to dodge a flight to Perth this year because they all play both Fremantle and West Coast in this current block of games.
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But outside of that all clubs are on notice that they could be sent west for several weeks should the WA borders remain closed.
The Dockers and Eagles want to return home from their Gold Coast hub as soon as possible and the AFL is expected to grant that wish after Round 7.
Once they return to Perth rivals will be forced to travel west, quarantine and then play multiple games at Perth Stadium before returning home.
But some clubs are looking at the positives, believing time on the road together will help build camaraderie and remove external distractions.
Fixture boss Travis Auld is set to release the schedule for Rounds 6 and 7 on Monday week, after Round 3.
A likely outcome would see the AFL delay scheduling Essendon, Melbourne and Richmond’s remaining game against the WA teams until late in the season in the hope the borders have opened.
That would allow clubs to simply fly in and fly out to complete those games.
The AFL is likely to reduce the number of night games at the MCG in July because the heavy dew detracts from the spectacle.
Five night games were booked at the MCG in this block of games. Usually there are only one or two night games played at the MCG in June, albeit during the split rounds.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said the dew was an “enormous factor” in Thursday night’s 36-all draw against Collingwood in what was effectively a wet weather match.
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