AFL in a season where nothing can be taken for granted

The 2020 season has presented significant challenges, with Tuesday another demonstration of the chaotic nature of the competition.

West Coast’s Luke Shuey arrives at the club before flying out for Queensland

As the AFL edges towards making a decision on where this year’s grand final will be played, players’ union president Patrick Dangerfield has warned nothing about the season can be taken for granted.

Assessing Geelong’s premiership hopes, Dangerfield noted: “Things are going well, but things can change quickly in this league and we can’t take anything for granted.”

The same is true for the season at large as the AFL Commission considers whether to retain a pre-finals bye that would delay the grand final until October 24.

Queensland officials discussed their proposal to hold the grand final at “Our very own G”, namely the Gabba, given the MCG is not available, with the AFL Commission on Tuesday.

In Western Australia, Premier Mark McGowan said health authorities were considering a move that could increase the capacity at Optus Stadium from 30,000 to 36,000.

There is another potential wrinkle for the AFL to consider given the prospect Bledisloe Cup Test matches will be held in Brisbane on successive weekends in October.

From a personal perspective, Dangerfield said it might be wise for the league to push ahead while the going is good rather than keeping the pre-finals bye.

“They will make a call that is in the best interests of everyone. Clearly there is some sort of time pressure around everything that has happened at the moment,” Dangerfield said.

“We have seen what has happened in Victoria and we have seen cases clearly creeping throughout NSW and a few different cases at different stages in Queensland, so whether that presents a difficulty or pressure around completing the season, I am not sure.

“If it does, then it makes sense to roll (straight) into finals, but everyone is going to have a different view, I think.”

There were reminders across the country on Tuesday about the unique challenges the chaotic 2020 season is presenting to players, clubs and the competition as a whole.

Collingwood vice-captain Steele Sidebottom has flown the coop to be with his partner Alisha, who is due to give birth next month. There is no guarantee he can return from Victoria.

Injured Eagle Elliot Yeo remained in Perth while his West Coast teammates headed off to Queensland for a second stint in a hub, though he will join them at a later date.

We've landed in Queensland, ready for the next part of season 2020 --> https://t.co/RSl3wvgycz

— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) August 25, 2020

The Cats are awaiting the arrival of Gary Ablett Jnr on the Gold Coast next Tuesday, with Tigers premiership star Shane Edwards also travelling on the same plane.

How that pair, who are viewed as critical to the premiership hopes of two leading contenders, manage to find form and fitness while in quarantine is a challenge.

But Dangerfield is confident his fellow Brownlow Medallist Ablett, at least, is capable of delivering.

“When the GOAT (greatest of all time) puts his hand up, you listen, I think,” Dangerfield said.

Clubs continued cost-cutting measures, with assistant coaches and development staff facing significant uncertainty about their futures over the next two months.

The league and AFLPA are also about to begin discussions on the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is sure to be contentious given pursestrings are tightening.

AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh flagged the prospect of more matches being held next season, provided players’ current contractual obligations were met, a view echoed by the organisation’s president.

“I think we are open to anything next year. I dare say the league is in the same situation,” Dangerfield said.

Also on the AFL’s agenda is a joint pitch from North Melbourne and West Coast that would see their final-round match held in Perth despite it being a Kangaroos home game.

This would allow the Eagles to return home earlier than anticipated and certainly make it easier for a qualifying final to be scheduled in the state if West Coast earns one with a top-two finish.

The Kangaroos were unable to play any of their allocated matches in Hobart this year due to COVID-19 concerns and the financial payout would provide some compensation.

The merits of a finals-bound club purchasing a match off a rival out of contention is among the considerations the league will assess.