Swans cleared to travel interstate for Demons clash

The Sydney Swans’ clash with the Demons will go ahead as planned this weekend despite new cases of coronavirus in the harbour city.

The Swans’ clash with the Demons will proceed as planned. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Swans have been permitted to travel interstate for their game against the Demons this weekend despite new cases of community COVID-19 transmission recorded in Sydney.

All Swans players and staff undertook COVID-19 tests on Wednesday and all have returned negative results.

Sydney confirmed three members of its coaching staff – Jarrad McVeigh, Dean Cox and Don Pyke – attended the Azure Cafe in Moore Park between 12.30pm-1pm on Monday, placing them at risk of infection.

The trio have been deemed casual contacts of the COVID-19 case and self-isolated before each returning negative test results.

Other Swans staff members, including senior coach John Longmire, also attended the Azure cafe outside of the 12.30pm-1pm window.

“The club will continue to closely monitor the COVID situation and be led by the AFL and NSW government,” the Swans said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

“The safety of everyone in our programs and the wider community remains paramount.”

The Swans have the chance to become the first team to defeat the Melbourne Demons when they face the first-placed side at the MCG on Saturday.

The Swans beat the Cats in a thriller at the SCG last weekend. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Meanwhile, the Swans’ cross-town rivals, the Giants, anxiously await COVID-19 results to determine whether they will be able to host the Bombers at Giants Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The AFL has not yet revealed whether the game will be rescheduled if a Giants player of staff member returns a positive COVID-19 test.

According to the AFL, no one working at the club attended any of the locations identified as exposure sites by the NSW government.