AFL season could run into summer amid doubt over opening round

The AFL season could extend into summer due to the coronavirus crisis amid significant uncertainty about the opening round.

Gillon McLachlan, chief executive officer of the AFL, outlines the league’s response to the coronavirus outbreak during apress conference at Marvel Stadium. Picture: AFL Photos

The AFL season could extend well into summer due to the coronavirus crisis, amid significant uncertainty surrounding the viability of the opening round scheduled to begin on Thursday night.

The AFL on Monday cut the fixture to 17 rounds, although doubt remains over Thursday night’s opening game kicking-off as planned, a move that would protect the integrity of the 2020 season as it ensures the 18 clubs will play every rival once.

But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan conceded the situation was so volatile the league could not even confirm Richmond would host Carlton on Thursday.

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Discussions between players, clubs and other stakeholders will continue on Tuesday, with the prospect of the season being delayed until at least June based on an earlier decision to postpone state competitions until the end of May. However a majority of players contacted by the players association on Monday night expressed a wish to play this weekend.

McLachlan said if any player recorded a positive test, the season would be halted for 14 days each time to allow clubs to isolate.

Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury is awaiting the results of a coronavirus test after missing training on Friday and Monday due to flu-like symptoms.

McLachlan stressed his determination to ensure the competition concluded at some stage this year, with the possibility matches will be played beyond spring.

This raises the potential of the grand final — should a finals series be played — being held away from the MCG given the ground becomes the domain of cricket from October. McLachlan stressed the MCG, which has a contract to hold the grand final until 2057, remains the preferred venue.

“My point is that we will do whatever we need to. We don’t know what lies ahead. We don’t know about measures or restrictions,” he said. “All I know is that we have flexibility now with a 17-round season that buys us more time and we are also going to buy time by not committing.

“If we are finished by September, fantastic. If we need more time, we will do that. That is our commitment to our industry.”

With stakeholders already facing multimillion-dollar losses at the very least, footballers and executives are likely to see their pay reduced while other AFL club staff and venue employees face the prospect of redundancy.

McLachlan did not confirm that the AFL had told players they would need to take a 20 per cent pay cut. Nor did he respond directly when asked whether he would seek federal government assistance, saying that was a matter for further down the track.

Some footballers from state league competitions are likely to find themselves added to AFL lists as soon as next week, with the league finalising rules related to a mini-draft to supplement club lists.

Additional players are certain to be required as the league looks to play games in a rapid-fire fashion when there are clear windows.

The first four weeks of the men’s season will be played to the current fixture before a reboot to ensure all clubs face each other once.

Should a decision be made to go ahead with games this weekend, it is possible there will be shortened time-frames between matches from the second round onward.

Given the drastic impact on memberships and the financial hit overall, clubs are hopeful of playing as many games as possible with crowds in attendance later this season.

“The reality is that we don’t have all the answers at the moment,” McLachlan said.

“The situation is changing by the minute and we need to stay agile in our decision-making.”

On a day Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews declared a state of emergency, the AFL chief executive conceded further difficult calls may be required to protect the health of the community.

“We know what football means to everyone. We understand how difficult these decisions are for you, particularly during a time of uncertainty,” McLachlan said.

AFLW clubs are still uncertain whether the entirety of their season will be completed, or whether drastic measures will be taken to ensure the 2020 premiership is awarded.

Adelaide superstar Erin Phillips, the best player in the women’s competition, said it was important for football to do its part in preventing the spread of the disease.

“Obviously there is so much uncertainty. It is a very, very bizarre time in the world right now,” she told Fox Sports.

“I don’t know what the right answer is. It is so crazy. Ideally you would love to play out the season and finals but this is bigger than footy and our season.”