AFL Covid: Sydney teams flee Melbourne; Cats met by police on Perth tarmac

At least three sides, including the two Sydney teams, will leave Victoria on Thursday amid rising concerns about its Covid-19 situation.

Geelong players faced Covid tests after police met them at Perth airport

At least three AFL sides, including the two Sydney-based teams, will leave Victoria on Thursday because of rising concerns about the Covid-19 situation in the state.

The borders are again closing on the code as it seeks to keep the 2021 season on track after the latest Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne placed other states on high alert.

The Sydney Swans and GWS Giants, who are set to spend the rest of the season travelling because of the lockdown in Sydney, will leave for Queensland this morning.

They had been due to play against each other in Ballarat on Saturday, but the match will be relocated.

The Western Bulldogs will also depart Melbourne earlier than expected for their clash against the Gold Coast Suns and will take a large squad as a precaution.

No decisions have yet been made regarding crowds for matches played in Victoria this weekend but discussions are continuing with Covid-19 exposure sites growing by the hour.

Geelong squad intercepted on the tarmac in WA

Western Australian police met Geelong on the tarmac in Perth on Wednesday after the Cats arrived for the clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium that opens round 18.

The Cats were to undergo testing immediately ahead of the Thursday night game that has clear finals ramifications for both clubs.

About 2000 of the nearly 32,000 fans who attended Geelong’s win over Carlton at the MCG last Saturday were also advised to isolate immediately and undergo testing on Wednesday.

The AFL said it was unaware of suggestions club-affiliated personnel were seated near a fan who has now tested positive to Covid-19 in the second tier of the MCC members.

The fraught nature of playing a season in a pandemic and the unpredictability of restrictions was highlighted during a press conference held by AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan.

He had just confirmed the Giants and the Swans are likely to spend the remainder of the season on the road due to Sydney’s lockdown when he was advised WA had shut its borders to Victoria.

“It is just as well we are flexible and agile. That is in real time,” he said.

“My understanding is, and we have had direct feedback, is that Geelong are there and they will be tested on arrival and they were picked up by Western Australian police and tested.

“I don’t have any further information beyond that because that was half-an-hour ago when we started this interview and things change.”

On Wednesday night the clash between the Cats and Dockers was to progress as scheduled.

WA police chief Chris Dawson said Geelong would effectively be placed into a quarantine bubble for the 48 hours that they spend in Perth before returning to Melbourne.

“The Geelong players and officials will go straight from the airport into a secure quarantine arrangement at their hotel,” he said.

“They will then be transported in a secure way to Optus (Stadium). They will be under very strict quarantine arrangements, as will all other officials travelling with them.”

Fremantle players will be tested repeatedly after the match but are not likely to have to quarantine. All other Victorian arrivals into the WA must undergo 14 days quarantine.

There are six rounds and a finals series — 63 games in total — for the 2021 season to be completed and the AFL remains confident of dealing with the latest challenge.

Of the 17 rounds to date, along with the AFLW season, only four rounds have proceeded without being hindered by a Covid-19 outbreak, lockdown or other restrictions this year.

It is taking a significant financial toll on the competition. The most recent Victorian lockdown alone cost the AFL about $5 million per week.

Crowds are down, with McLachlan citing delays in scheduling games, lower confidence in public transport and check-in protocols as reasons.

Matches in Perth have been played to empty stadiums. Other games such as the “Battle of the Bridge” between the Swans and the Giants this Saturday in Ballarat have been hosted at grounds where fewer fans can attend.

“Challenges continue to come,” McLachlan said.

“We’re going to the footy as it stands and we’ll deal with whatever changes come. That is what we have been doing for 18 months.”

The AFL will confirm details of a quarantine hub for the partners and families of players of the Sydney-based clubs to allow them to be reunited with their loved ones.

Discussions are continuing with the Queensland, Northern Territory and Victorian Governments.

The AFL had hoped to avoid the use of hubs this year but the spread of the virus in Sydney had “outpaced” the league.

McLachlan responded to reports in The Australian that some partners of the Sydney-based players felt concerned they were being viewed as an afterthought.

“There are two clubs whose families are … our priorities now, as it has played out over the last few days, that there is an acceptance they are staying here,” McLachlan said.

“We will provide whatever support necessary. They are absolutely a priority.”

The AFL issued a statement in relation to allegations the league issued an edict that silenced the wives and girlfriends of footballers who attended a transition hub last year.

It noted the information had been provided to every single person who attended a hub last year, not just the partners of players.

“The request to all people, male and female, transitioning through the hubs to avoid criticism of the conditions was made at a time when millions of Victorians were in long-term lockdown and the Queensland government had allowed players, staff, officials and their families to quarantine in high performance centres set up and paid for by the AFL rather than strict hotel quarantine,” the statement read.