How Western Australia’s three-day lockdown will impact AFL fixtures

AFL footy without crowds will make its dreaded return this weekend after Mark McGowan confirmed an emergency three-day lockdown.

Saturday evening’s AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and North Melbourne at Perth Stadium will proceed with no crowds after West Australian Premier Mark McGowan confirmed an emergency three-day lockdown.

Perth and Peel regions will enter a 72-hour lockdown from midnight on Friday after the city recorded three new COVID-19 cases, including two cases of community transmission.

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Masks will be mandatory from 6pm tonight, with McGowan recommending “they be worn immediately”.

“This is a fast evolving situation and we are acting on information that has just come to information that has just come to light,” McGowan told reporters on Friday.

“I know this is hard to take and I wish we didn‘t need to do this. But we can’t take any chances.

“I know this three-day short lockdown is very difficult. But I hope we can keep it to three days only.

“We need to go back to what we know best. We need to keep ourselves safe.

“I know for many Western Australians this will be disruptive. My thanks goes to everyone for their patience and understanding.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan.

The announcement follows an outbreak in Perth’s hotel quarantine system, with a Victorian man testing positive after completing 14 days of quarantine in a West Australian hotel.

A pregnant woman and her four-year-old daughter have also tested positive after their stay, having contracted the virus from an infected couple who had returned from India.

The round six AFL clash between Fremantle and North Melbourne will go head under a special exemption, albeit without spectators in attendance.

The Kangaroos touched down in Perth one hour before McGowan’s announcement.

“We regret to inform you all that our Saturday night clash against North Melbourne at Optus Stadium will go ahead but without crowds in the stands,” Fremantle said in a statement.

“Those who have purchased tickets for the clash will be contacted directly by Ticketmaster.”

AFL Executive General Manager Football Operations Steve Hocking said in a statement: “The health and safety of everyone in the game and the wider community remains the priority as we continue to navigate the pandemic.

“The AFL thanks all supporters for their understanding as we continue to be led by the advice of governments and health officials.”

The biggest pandemic crowd in Aussie sport was the 54,159 at Perth Stadium for West Coast-Collingwood last week. But there won't be any fans watching Fremantle-North tomorrow, and a derby crowd next week hinges on lockdown success. It's still a very precarious world.

— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) April 23, 2021

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North Melbourne football boss Brady Rawlings told reporters: “We will be guided by the government and the AFL ... we will adapt to whatever situation arises, as we did last year.”

Full crowds will be permitted for NBL and Super Rugby fixtures on Friday evening, but attendees are required to wear masks.

Meanwhile, all WAFL fixtures this weekend have been cancelled in response to the outbreak.

“Sporting venues will only be allowed to have professional players and sporting officials,” WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said.

“The AFL game will go ahead at Optus Stadium but only with staff and players.

“The Wildcats and the Western Force will be able to play because the directives do not apply until midnight.

“We’ve taken this from public health advice.”

The West Coast Eagles flew out of Perth on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Geelong Cats at GMHBA Stadium.

Although they would have expected to return home on Sunday, Adam Simpson’s side is now preparing for an extended stay in Victoria, according to The Herald Sun.

Fremantle and West Coast are scheduled to take part in a West Australian derby next weekend, but the match could be relocated or postponed depending on lockdown results.

— with Jasper Bruce and Natalie Brown