AFL season wide open as clubs struggle for rhythm on extended road trip

Changes in the season schedule has contributed to the most open premiership race in the betting history of AFL.

Queensland, with the Gabba in Brisbane as one of the venues, is now the home of AFL

The extraordinary crisis inflicted on the AFL by coronavirus coincides with the most wide open premiership race this century as teams grapple with unprecedented travel demands.

Every Victorian club will now spend the remainder of the home-and-away season travelling, which should present an advantage to contenders from other states set for a run of games at home.

Only two games separates the second-placed Geelong from the Swans in 17th with 11 rounds remaining in the compressed season and there is no standout premiership contender.

Collingwood, the GWS Giants and West Coast share favouritism for the premiership at $7, but have a winning strike rate of only 50 per cent in 2020, with only the Magpies in the eight.

According to the TAB, it is the most open the market has been since the agency began fielding on the premiership in 1995, with seven contenders listed between $7 and $10.

The AFL is yet to outline a fixture beyond Round 8 as it eyes the COVID-19 spike in Sydney, though the Swans and Giants will remain at home for now.

But several non-Victorian clubs are set to benefit from playing the majority of their remaining games in their home states.

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AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the extended relocation of Victorian clubs was required to “keep the game alive” given the situation in Melbourne and potentially Sydney.

“There is a clear plan that makes Queensland the base and provides greater certainty for everyone,” he said.

The top-placed Port Adelaide and the impressive Lions, who sit third, are the only non-Victorian clubs currently in the eight and are well-positioned for top four runs as a result.

Both West Coast and Fremantle, sides which found form in the last fortnight of their Gold Coast-hub stay, are also set for an extended run of matches at Optus Stadium in Perth.

The AFL is still hopeful of honouring commitments with the Tasmanian and Northern Territory governments to host matches in those states later this year.

Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns is looming as a valuable ground for the competition with the AFL mindful of not wanting to overtax the Gabba and Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.

Football returns to the WA capital on Thursday night with the clash between Collingwood and Geelong.

Those teams played in Sydney last weekend, are now based in Perth until Round 9 and will then relocate to Queensland until the finals series.

Other Melbourne clubs will head to WA from their temporary Queensland base throughout August and September.

St Kilda coach Brett Ratten, whose side has a challenging fortnight ahead, said the clubs that adapted best would succeed.

Now based in Noosa, the Saints will fly from the Sunshine Coast twice in five days from Monday for clashes against the Crows and Power at Adelaide Oval.

“What we can do is change our preparation slightly,” Ratten said.

“It is not really what we are going to do physically on the track, it might be more about the mental approach and how you get up for games.”

Up to 30,000 fans are expected in Perth tonight and also for the homecoming derby between the Eagles and Dockers on Sunday.

Fans will also attend Adelaide Oval in significant numbers from Monday night and Ratten believes this will help players focus.

“The difference will be going to Adelaide this week and again the following week will be the crowd,” he said.

“It will be the first time the players will have a decent crowd in front of them. But I think they will be excited to play in front of an audience again.”

It will also help provide income for what is proving an extraordinarily expensive season. Along with growing the game’s profile in Queensland, the return of crowds is a rare silver lining in 2020.

McLachlan said on Wednesday it will cost the competition at least $3m per week to provide accommodation for clubs based in hubs, with further staff and families expected to relocate.