AFL clubs forced to overhaul season launch events due to coronavirus threat
Collingwood is considering compensation for its legion of fans should they be stopped from attending AFL matches this year due to the deadly coronavirus.
AFL
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Four AFL clubs have taken dramatic steps to separate their players from adoring fans at tonight’s season launches as the AFL world goes into lockdown over coronavirus fears.
Western Bulldog players have been banned from mingling with fans and at Crown Palladium and the Dogs shutdown pre-planned TV interviews and cancelled in-function dining list for its entire list.
Players have been told to arrive 90 minutes after the function begins and will be whisked out after being presented with their jumpers on stage.
Collingwood and St Kilda also overhauled their functions as supporters who had travelled overseas recently or been feeling unwell were offered full refunds and told to not attend.
The Magpies have also cancelled their open training session on Friday, with fans no longer welcome as part of the isolation.
🚨 Update: Open Training cancelled 🚨
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) March 11, 2020
It is with regret that we've had to cancel this Friday’s AFL open training and signing session at the Holden Centre.
Brisbane Lions have adopted a no-handshake policy for Wednesday night’s launch and asked guests to wash their hands often, use tissues and cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing.
Some stars were privately resigned to the fact they would soon be playing AFL games in front of empty stadiums.
As the Herald Sun revealed on Wednesday, the AFL is in talks with clubs about closing training sessions and limiting all face-to-face contact with supporters, media and all club staff outside the football department.
Every club has this week formed a coronavirus working party, which must meet daily to help combat the threat of losing players to the rapidly spreading virus.
Should one of the 750 players contract coronavirus the entire league would be thrown into turmoil as all teammates would be forced into a 14-day quarantine period in isolation.
Clubs were on Wednesday considering a raft of AFL-backed initiatives, including sterilising all of its gym and football equipment after every session.
Players are also being cautioned against socialising with friends and extended family members as part of extraordinary measures to keep the AFL season alive.
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Clubs are also discussing the merit in separating their men’s and women’s teams.
Richmond boss Brendon Gale said the Tigers were desperate to safeguard their players.
“Our primary responsibility as sporting administrators as employers is to the health and safety and welfare of our players and staff,” Gale told the Herald Sun.
“We’ve taken a number of measures, which are significant measures but appropriate in the circumstances, we think can reduce the risk of exposure and infection.
The new handshake. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/VbB6m5brpj
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) March 11, 2020
“So controlling the environment and reducing the exposure are things we can do. Our view is we’ll do everything in our power to keep on keeping on and make sure games are played.”
The AFL continued talks with clubs about a range of measures in conjunction with medical experts to help mitigate risk for the players.
“Conduct training behind closed gates and doors where possible,” a draft of the league’s document that was distributed to clubs on Tuesday night said.
“Where possible do not permit player interaction with supporters.”
Meanwhile, Collingwood is exploring options for compensation to its fans as the prospect of playing games in empty stadiums becomes more real by the day.
Magpies president Eddie McGuire told the club’s season launch on Wednesday that everyone would have to “dig deep” but the club would do what it could to help members in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
“We’re going to work together,” McGuire said.
“At times we might even ask our supporters to stick with us. We’re working on compensation but we’re a not-for-profit organisation and at times we’ll all have to dig deep. We might have to dig deep financially, we might have to dig deep spiritually, but we’ll come together.”
McGuire said he had met with both Premier Daniel Andrews and Sports Minister Martin Pakula and the threat of games being played without crowds was very real.
“The one thing that we figured out pretty much yesterday in meeting with the AFL Commission and the presidents is this – our sports will prevail,” McGuire said.
“They’re going to throw up curveballs this year.
“There is every chance that at some stage this year we will play with no crowds. It’s as simple as that. When that will be? Hopefully it won’t be.
“The bottom line is we’ll work through this.”
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BEVERIDGE: VIRUS WILL HAVE ‘HORRENDOUS’ IMPACT
Mark Robinson
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge believes the impact of the coronavirus is “horrendous’’ for not only the football industry, but for all of the community.
As the AFL and clubs consider implementing a raft of significant measures to combat the global virus, Beveridge’s concerns were held for the livelihoods of families outside of the football bubble.
He cited examples of people who had already lost their jobs, the flow-on effect of businesses being crippled by the community’s changed habits.
The affect inside football clubs would also be telling, he said.
“I’ve got a real economical concern,’’ Beveridge said.
“I’ve been speaking to many, many people who I know who are ether directly or indirectly affected.
“I know a bloke from Geelong Travel who sponsors our club — how do you reckon he’s going? Talking about possibly selling his house. He will sell his house before he runs the business down.
“Ultimately, when you consider sponsorships, and with what happens with clubs, and even the next broadcast agreement etc, if this lingers then what is the outcome? How hard will everyone be hit?
“Everything is going to be changed.
“I’m not a doomsayer, I’m up the other end of the spectrum where I’m less concerned about people getting the virus and what transpires.
“But I’m worried about how alarmist everyone has been because it’s affecting society too much, not just in the football industry, I’m worried about everyone around us.
“There’s so many pockets of industry and commerce … it’s horrendous.’’
The AFL said on Tuesday it would be prepared to play matches behind closed doors, while clubs were considering postponing sponsorship and community engagements and banning personal contact with the public and the media.
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Originally published as AFL clubs forced to overhaul season launch events due to coronavirus threat
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