AFL: Players in the dark over quarantine hub plan

AFL players remain in the dark over any plans to reignite the season in multi-city quarantine hubs.

Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves is sceptical about the quarantine hub concept.

AFL players remain in the dark over any plans to reignite the season in multi-city quarantine hubs.

The league has confirmed it is investigating the possibility of stationing groups of teams in cities such as Hobart, Adelaide and Perth for several weeks or months to reignite the season in parts of the country where the coronavirus cases are lower than Melbourne and Sydney.

But any proposal could hinge on whether players could also bring their families to stay with them.

The prospect of leaving families behind including multiple young children with partners who are also working is seen as a big hurdle.

There is significant resistance to the concept, but it could be developed as a worst-case scenario if the AFL cannot play games on the east coast.

In any case, the AFL Players Association has not received details on any quarantine hub plan and is yet to begin any talks on the matter with league chiefs.

While club sources are hopeful the season will resume in July or August, the league is adamant it will be guided by the government and expert medical advice on a resumption date. Strict return-to-play provisions would require players be kept away from the public and effectively restricted to move only from their homes, to the clubs and to the venues when football ­resumes.

The quarantine hub concept is believed to be one of many ideas the league is considering.

But Hawthorn chief executive Justin Reeves said he was uncertain the proposal was adequate.

“I can’t get my head around how that would possibly work,” Reeves said.

“I can’t imagine this happening while the rest of the community are in lockdown or the like.”

Meanwhile, coaching great Mick Malthouse says two AFL seasons could be “buggered up” by the coronavirus pandemic.

The three-time premiership winning mentor believes if the current season extends into December, there will be ramifications for next year’s competition as well.

“I would hate to see 2021 interfered with by 2020,” Malthouse told SEN SA radio on Monday.

“If it means that 2020 becomes a showcase of our game, you don’t want two years to be buggered up, one is bad enough. Let’s not muck up the second one as well.

“By going into December, what sides are going to be ready by March next year? There’s a lot of things to think about.”

The AFL season has been suspended until at least May 31, the league hierarchy already reducing the season to 17 rounds.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: AAP