St Kilda will give stars chance to back out if China game goes ahead
It is still a long-shot to happen, but St Kilda will talk to players about their Coronavirus concerns ahead of the planned China match, and they will be given the choice whether they wish to play.
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St Kilda will give its players the choice to back out of the China game as the country battles to contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
The Round 11 clash appears extremely unlikely to go ahead with images out of the Wuhan district yesterday showing people using industrial blowers to spray a fluid – reportedly disinfectant - on to cars and buildings in the street.
The death toll in China yesterday reached 1016, up 108 from the day before. The number of total cases nation-wide grew to 42,638.
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As the Herald Sun revealed yesterday, the league is already making preparations for a replacement game at Marvel Stadium on Monday night.
St Kilda football boss Simon Lethlean also said the club would investigate whether it was possible to host the game against the Power at RSEA Park in Moorabbin, despite a lack of seating.
In the unlikely event the game is played in Shanghai, Lethlean said players would not be forced to participate.
“No, absolutely not,” Lethlean said.
“No one who doesn’t feel comfortable going would be made to go. It is anyone’s right to look after their own health and safety as they see fit.”
But he was confident the playing group would be united on any decision.
“My view is that the players would take the advice of the AFL and St Kilda,” he told the Herald Sun.
“But you would definitely hear out anyone who had concerns.”
The AFL is closely monitoring the situation, but Shanghai’s peak sporting body has already warned all sporting clubs to stay away.
It is unclear when the coronavirus threat will end.
Lethlean said the club was still planning to make the trip, but would be guided by the latest expert medical advice and government warnings.
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A call to scrap the game in 2020 is likely to be made over the next month.
“The deadline (on a decision) is a matter for the AFL,” Lethlean said.
“They are monitoring this daily and we are speaking to them weekly.
“We are planning to play there because it is a pretty important game for the Saints and the AFL and port to keep representing over there, so that is the plan.
“But obviously contingencies need to be thought of because things have been pretty serious over there.
“There is going to be no risks to any of our players, staff and or any fans.
“The decision will be made in the right course of time in the next month or so, but at this stage we are still watching.”
The last St Kilda – Port Adelaide clash at Docklands drew 14,878 in Round 17, 2013.
Lethlean said the club would look into whether the game could be played at Moorabbin on a Monday night.
“It is a do-able event, whether it is appropriate for a home and away game others will need to decide,” he said on SEN.
“We will certainly look at whether it is possible.”