Covid chaos brings a festival of footy to Sydney

Melbourne will play Brisbane at Giants Stadium in Sydney on Friday night to kickstart a festival of footy in the Harbour City.

Essendon players leaving the track after a training session in Perth on Tuesday

The AFL has assured clubs that hubs are a last-resort option for 2021 as the league confronted a roadblock in its bid to finalise this weekend’s round due to complications flowing from Melbourne’s Covid outbreak.

Less than 72 hours before Melbourne was to take on Brisbane, the clubs finally learned they would be playing at Giants Stadium in Sydney on Friday night to kickstart a festival of footy in the Harbour City.

It will be the first of three games in Sydney after the AFL was unable to get an exemption for the Saints to travel to Cairns to host the Swans this weekend.

That game will be played at the SCG on Saturday, while the Blues will host West Coast at the same ground on Sunday.

The AFL was still unable to confirm at 8.30pm on Tuesday night when Collingwood will fly into Adelaide to play the Crows on Saturday afternoon as discussions with South Australian health authorities continue.

The other two games will be played in Perth, beginning with the Dreamtime in the West game between Essendon and Richmond at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

The AFL have confirmed three games in Sydney & two games in Perth during Round 12. The Adelaide v Collingwood clash is the only match still to be officially locked in. pic.twitter.com/ojG3CzLVyR

— Triple M Footy (@triplemfooty) June 1, 2021

The Tigers trained at the home of the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday, while Essendon is able to move with freedom in Perth after their win over the Eagles on Saturday.

With Victorian health authorities worried there is evidence that “fleeting contact” has been enough for community transition of Covid-19 in the latest outbreak, the caution is understandable.

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley described the current outbreak as a “very active and dynamic situation”.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett is concerned about the AFL’s ability to complete the season given the border restrictions in place around the country.

Similarly to last year, when some senior players expressed concerns about entering hubs, there are differing views among players about the merits of extended road trips this year.

The Western Bulldogs headed to Sydney on Sunday, but are effectively complying by Victorian rules, before their scheduled trip to Perth to play Fremantle on Sunday.

The Bulldogs left behind 18 players mindful that they may be needed for a state league clash against Werribee on Sunday, should that occur.

Coach Luke Beveridge said the season was again proving challenging for the competition.

“We would have loved to have brought everyone, but it is a different situation this time around,” Beveridge said.

“We anticipate it’s only for a week, and then after our Fremantle game, we’re meant to come back and have a little bit of a break, after what’s been a really productive start to our football season.

“We are trying not to look too far ahead. It is a day-by-day approach. Hawthorn came back and have gone on a little break for their bye. Anything beyond the week, we will process that if and when it happens.”

St Kilda captain Jack Steele said the hub experience proved a positive for the club last year, noting it helped the Saints bond and build form towards the finals.

“I feel like getting the group closer together and getting a bit of connection among us is going to give us a chance to perform better on the field,” he said.

Melbourne skipper Max Gawn said the top-placed Demons were prepared to go anywhere and play anyone at the moment prior to learning that their finals shaping clash against Brisbane will be played at the SCG.

“It is an interesting situation. I am more than happy to play this game anywhere. I understand the season needs to keep continuing on,” he told RSN 927.

“If that means we have to pack up and leave Melbourne for a couple of weeks, that is what it means. We did it last year and we were able to keep the season going.

“We were in the privileged position of being able to get out and leave Melbourne, which a lot of people weren’t. From all reports … Melbourne was not a fun place to be.”

But the prospect of extended travel is not easy for more senior players. As Gawn pointed out, the partners of Tom McDonald and Jake Lever are heavily pregnant, while others have family dynamics to consider.