Coronavirus: States’ quarantine rules could throw a spanner in AFL’s works

Tough quarantine rules in WA and SA threaten to further delay AFL as footballers anxiously await certainty on when they can resume training and ­playing.

Collingwood’s Mason Cox trains at Gosch's Paddock in Melbourne Picture: Getty Images

Tough quarantine rules in WA and SA threaten to further delay the return of AFL as footballers anxiously await certainty on when they can resume training and ­playing.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has made it clear proper training will start only when all clubs are on equal footing in a bid to protect the integrity of an extraordinary season as much as possible.

And that is a hurdle yet to be negotiated due to the strict stance Western Australia and South Australia have adopted with their ­borders.

Players who returned to those states are only partially through a quarantine period of 14 days, with some West Coast Eagles set to be stuck indoors until May 21.

The AFL effectively created the latest hurdle when ruling neither WA club was able to train in groups despite social-distancing restrictions easing in the state in late April, so as not to disadvantage the rest of the competition.

The Adelaide Crows were penalised on Monday for breaching those guidelines while in quarantine in the Barossa Valley last Thursday; assistant coach Ben Hart was stood down for six weeks and 16 players issued with suspended one-match bans.

The quarantine rules of WA could also force the Eagles and Fremantle into an interstate hub to start the season if those restrictions are not relaxed.

The training dilemma has dampened optimism the AFL — which as soon as Wednesday is set to announce a date for a return to play — will resume its season on June 11 as hoped.

One significant hurdle was overcome when Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews eased restrictions to allow groups of professional footballers to train together from Wednesday onward.

“A clear block to the season not being able to start was not being able to train. Today we have removed that block,” Mr Andrews said on Monday.

Collingwood ruckman Mason Cox was among players to train ­either individually or in pairs around Australia. The American Magpie, who has become a high-profile player in Melbourne, praised the manner with which governments in Australia had handled the coronavirus crisis.

“I know there has been significant sacrifices but it is pretty cool to be in one of the few countries in the world that has actually been able to contain this,” he said on ­social media.

“People judge government but overall the leadership and community complying in tough times has been outstanding.”