Dockers board member pleads for WA to exempt AFL players

A leading Perth businessman has called on the government to exempt AFL from tough border restrictions.

Dockers player Travis Colyer trains alone at UWA Sports Park in Perth on Monday Picture: Getty Images

A leading Perth businessman has called on the West Australia government to provide exemptions to tough border restrictions to allow football to be played in the state in 2020.

With the AFL working to finalise key plans of its return-to-play framework ahead of an announcement this week, Fremantle board member Tony Grist is hopeful of a change of mindset in WA.

As it stands, West Coast and Fremantle will have to travel to an interstate hub for at least the early stages of an abridged AFL season set to begin next month.

South Australia has also written to the AFL to state it will not be changing its current 14-day quarantine requirement. This will preclude matches being played in Adelaide, with the Crows and Power also forced into finding an interstate base for a period.

The AFL is also working to finalise details with the Queensland government before any announcement can be made.

Grist, the founder of Albion Capital Partners, respects the WA government’s commitment to a hard border. But he believes a case can be made for teams to move in and out of WA based on the strict AFL guidelines that were released on Tuesday.

“A strong argument can be mounted for a safe transfer of players, with testing, to have a fixture here,” he told The Australian. “It’s a very good option for the sport, the public and for parts of the economy.”

WA premier Mark McGowan reiterated the AFL would not receive exemptions to the two-week quarantine requirement for anyone entering the state, noting that they had not been granted to other industries including the mining sector and seafarers.

But the state’s lucrative mining industry has continued to operate throughout the crisis, with FIFO workers permitted to travel between internal regional boundaries that are otherwise closed.

Many of the state’s mining companies are also carrying out mandatory tests of FIFO workers before they leave Perth.

“We are not going to have the border arrangement for two weeks’ quarantine breached for the AFL when we are not doing it for the mining industry, for seafarers, for other industries out there,” McGowan said.

There is a sense in WA football circles that similar measures could be used to help minimise the risks of flying teams in and out of the state.

A tightly controlled visit by AFL clubs accompanied by rigorous testing could also help build confidence ahead of a later, broader reopening of the border and interstate travel.

The AFL is aiming for every player to undergo a COVID-19 test by Friday in order to enable training to resume next week and Kangaroos star Shaun Higgins believes players will be tested at least twice a week during the season.

WA sports minister Mick Murray said the government still believed a Perth-based hub was the best model, but the AFL is trying to avoid the prospect of using hubs at all given the significant costs involved.

“We urge the AFL to rethink the hub proposal as the safest way to restart the AFL season,” Murray said.

Should WA clubs be forced to enter a hub to restart the season, they would favour being based on the Gold Coast or in Darwin, which would mean Melbourne-based teams would also have to travel to play.

While Queensland was raised as an ideal spot for a hub, it is not yet certain matches can be played in the state, with further guidance being sought.

In another potential wrinkle, Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young said any NRL player who refused a flu shot would not be able to train or play unless they are granted a medical exemption.

The AFL last week said that although flu vaccinations were recommended, they were not mandatory, which is a position backed by the Gold Coast’s captain David Swallow.

“We are working closely with respective state governments, relevant medical authorities and the 18 clubs on finalising the medical and return to play protocols,” an AFL spokesperson said.

An AFL decision to ban listed players from playing in secondary competitions will have a significant impact on a number of state leagues.

The Port Adelaide Magpies are celebrating their 150th anniversary, but due to an alignment with the Power, the 36-time premiers will be prohibited from playing in the SANFL in 2020.