Australian sport: Coronavirus updates for AFL, NRL, cricket, F1, surfing

The first round of the AFL season is in doubt after the Federal Government was told events of more than 500 people should be called off.

Fresh doubts have been cast on the opening round of the AFL premiership season after the Federal Government was advised against holding events of more than 500 people.

AFL officials are working through their options – including playing in empty stadiums or delaying round one – with an announcement expected on Friday.

In an escalation in the fight against the spread of the virus, Cricket Australia also announced on Friday morning that fans would be locked out of Australia’s three-match men’s ODI series against New Zealand.

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The AFL must act quickly following the developments, with round six of the AFLW season scheduled to get underway on Friday night when Geelong host North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.

The 2020 AFL premiership season is due to start next week when Richmond and Carlton clash at the MCG on Thursday night.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan told reporters on Tuesday that the league was planning for round one to go ahead.

But he added that the league will be guided by expert medical advice from government agencies and raised the prospect of locking out fans. AFL clubs have implemented a range of measures, including excluding fans from training and banning autographs and selfies, in an attempt to protect their players and staff.

Gillon McLachlan. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Australian sport’s response to the coronavirus is under fire as our codes resist calling off games.

A host of international competitions have already made decisions to suspend their seasons.

America’s National Basketball Association and National Hockey League pulled the pin in the past 24 hours and Major League Baseball has cancelled spring training. Spain’s La Liga and the ATP tennis tour have also hit the pause button.

RELATED: Australian Grand Prix updates

One of Australia’s leading infection control experts, Professor Bill Bowtell said it was time to stop everything.

“The Grand Prix should be cancelled if it hasn’t been already. The NRL season should be cancelled. Are you seriously suggesting (government) ministers should be saying to the Australian people ‘it’s business as usual … go to the Grand Prix’?” Bowtell told the ABC.

“Facts and evidence dictate these mass gatherings should not take place. We must bring down the rate of new infections of coronavirus in this country and we should do so in the next hours and days.”

Here’s where other sports stand.

NRL

The NRL is considering taking games behind closed doors and locking out crowds in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The governing body has set up a coronavirus subcommittee that is exploring all options and ramifications for the NRL and clubs if games are to be played in empty stadiums, or if the season is to be postponed.

The NRL will hold a meeting in Sydney on Friday and will take advice from federal and state governments, which could have ramifications on North Queensland’s opening match at their new stadium.

The Cowboys are set to open their NRL season against Brisbane on Friday night at their brand new stadium in Townsville – a game that is expected to attract more than 20,000 fans.

North Queensland Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston inside the new Cowboys Stadium. Picture: Adam Head

CRICKET

Australia’s three-match ODI series against the Kiwis, which includes games in Sydney on Friday and Sunday, and Hobart next Friday, will be played behind closed doors.

The games will still be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo and all fans who have tickets will get a full refund.

The teams are then scheduled to play three T20s in New Zealand but all matches remain in doubt as the virus impacts the sporting world.

A six-match women’s tour of South Africa has been called off, but the final round of Sheffield Shield fixtures starting on March 17 will go ahead.

FOOTBALL

Football Federation Australia says round 23 of the A-League and the semifinals of the W-League scheduled for this weekend will go ahead.

MOTOR SPORT

The Supercars’ Melbourne round followed the lead of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix and cancelled because of the coronavirus.

Four races were planned this weekend to run alongside the F1 season-opener at Albert Park but it was called off on Friday because of ongoing health crisis.

SURFING

The World Surf League has cancelled all of its competitions in March, including the season-opening 2020 championship tour event on the Gold Coast in Australia.

— with wires