Closed doors, security guards, no cinemas: How AFL clubs are combatting COVID-19

Security guards, numbered water bottles, no cinemas. These are just a few of the measures AFL clubs have put in place to control the spread of COVID-19. And a player from a Victorian club has been tested.

Clubs are enforcing tight measures to stop the spread of coronavirus. Picture: Michael Klein

Collingwood employed a security guard yesterday to keep fans away from players as the coronavirus continues to threaten the coming AFL season.

The Magpies set up a patrolled exclusion zone as they trained at their Olympic Boulevard facility.

All players were required to drink from individually numbered bottles.

The AFL advised players from both men’s and women’s football programs at all clubs to take a “common sense approach” to social activities and general hygiene.

For some clubs, this included going to the movies or others attending gatherings in confined spaces.

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Richmond is closed until further notice. Picture: Michael Klein

But as of last night no AFL club had followed the NBA’s lead and stopped group training sessions.

The Herald Sun understands that a player from a Melbourne club was tested for the COVID-19 virus on Thursday after exhibiting flu-like symptoms but the result was negative.

Jeff Kennett wrote a letter to Hawthorn members saying he and CEO Justin Reeves had gone through the club’s revenue and the “situation is looking grim”.

“The very best scenario is that our bottom line might be hit by about 10 per cent of budgeted revenue over this football year,” Kennett wrote.

“This is before the AFL informs us of any curtailing of the AFL season, so clearly this is serious.”

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Kennett called on members to support the club.

“In managing what is facing us, the club is going to rely very much on our membership and the income it generates,” he wrote.

Richmond – which trained for half a day yesterday but refused to comment on whether it had had any player tested for the virus thus far – has advised all non-football department staff to work from home until further advised.

Melbourne has split its staff between its men’s and women’s football programs, which are totally isolated from one another.

The Demons women’s team travelled to Alice Springs yesterday where it will play Carlton tonight in front of empty stands.

Essendon players had the day off on Friday and the club is also closed, with players encouraged to exercise precaution when engaging in social activity.

Darcy Cameron and Josh Thomas drink out of individually numbered drink bottles at training. Picture: Michael Klein

Hawthorn has closed its club shop and museum at Waverley Park as a precaution, with no visitors permitted.

“We’re in uncharted waters aren’t we?,” Hawks tall Ben McEvoy said on the club website.

“None of us have ever been in this situation. (We) take it as it comes, prepare and business as usual until we hear otherwise.

“For the minute, we’re preparing for the (Brisbane) Lions Round 1, can’t wait.”

Originally published as Closed doors, security guards, no cinemas: How AFL clubs are combatting COVID-19