COVID-19 makes its presence felt in the NTFL after Waratah players return from a Brisbane hotspot

Waratah and the Tiwi Bombers working with the AFLNT on a replacement date for yesterday’s postponed Round 13 Premier League clash on Bathurst Island

AFLNT community football manager Leigh Elder. Picture: AFLNT/Media

AFLNT officials are in discussions with Premier League clubs Waratah and the Tiwi Bombers on a suitable replacement date for yesterday’s postponed match on Bathurst Island.

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic made its presence felt for the first time in the 2020-21 NTFL season when two Waratah players were tested for the virus after arriving in Darwin from a Brisbane hotspot on Wednesday.

The tests returned negative results, despite one of the players showing flu-like symptoms, but the Round 13 clash did not go ahead as a precautionary measure.

AFLNT community football manager Leigh Elder would not speculate on any future playing date, saying there were a lot of options to consider before a time and venue were finalised.

“We’ll go through a process this week where we’ll work with both clubs on what is best for the integrity of the competition and a fair outcome for both clubs,’’ Elder said.

“There are a lot of variants there with a pretty tight five weeks until the finals start and getting both sides on the ground so there is a some work to do.’’

Elder said Waratah deserved a lot of credit for the way they had handled the situation.

“A lot of people returned from Queensland this week and two of those were Tahs boys who trained with their club on Thursday night after getting back to Darwin the day before,’’ he said.

“Nothing wrong with that, but the announcement on Friday morning (of various hot spots) of the new strain meant some precautionary measures had to be taken.

“Our advice is if anyone is in that situation we need to go through a process that is totally run by the health department and this was one of them.’’

Waratah coach Ryan Ayres said his side was keen to play the makeup game in the five weeks remaining before the finals.

“Obviously the logistics involved in getting the Tiwis to Darwin for an extra game will take some time to organise, but we reckon there is room for a catch-up, catch up game,’’ Ayres said.

“It will be four weeks since we played a game of footy by the time the Palmerston game comes around next week, so we’re pretty keen to get back to match conditions.’’

Tahs will train in match simulated conditions at Gardens Oval today in a bid to maintain the intensity that has them poised for a return to the finals.