Players escape Melbourne virus hot spot

Players have been shifted out of Melbourne’s COVID-19 “hot spots” as the league eyes a drastic plan to evacuate all 10 Victorian clubs out of the state.

Adam Treloar is challenged by Jaidyn Stephenson at Magpies training Picture: Getty Images

Players have been shifted out of Melbourne’s COVID-19 “hot spots” as the league eyes a drastic plan to evacuate all 10 Victorian clubs out of the state.

The AFL exit strategy involves the creation of multiple interstate hubs before the walls close in on footy’s heartland.

Players at Victorian clubs have been told they could be on the road en masse by the middle of next week.

League chiefs will unveil a new Round 6 fixture in the coming days, potentially without a single match in Melbourne.

All players living in the city’s COVID-stricken suburbs were ordered to relocate to another suburb before midnight on Wednesday.

They were given just hours to pack their bags and find alternative accommodation.

It came as NSW authorities warned any Victorian crossing the border from a coronavirus hot spot that they will face an $11,000 fine and six months’ jail.

Perth, Sydney and Gold Coast will be used as major hubs for the staging of games in the coming weeks.

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The league has the option of keeping some clubs in Victoria for the use of the MCG, Marvel Stadium and GMHBA Stadium but is concerned it could be caught out by the emergence of even harsher interstate border restrictions.

Geelong and Collingwood were expected to travel to Perth after their scheduled Round 6 games for a three-week stint.

They could now be asked to depart sooner and will almost certainly spend longer on the road.

Western Bulldogs are also a chance to play a run of games in Perth.

St Kilda and North Melbourne appear likely to relocate to New South Wales even though they have already played each other and the Roos have played both Sydney teams.

Clubs can only play teams once this season and so the AFL must group them in a way to keep the season flowing as options become more limited by the week.

The Olympic Park precinct looms as Sydney’s best hub location, given its proximity to training facilities and hotel rooms.

AFL Players’ Association boss Paul Marsh said the game’s 850 players would continue to “go above and beyond” in a bid to keep the season rolling.

“Our players have been incredible this year in their commitment to the game and the 2020 season despite the significant challenges thrown at them,” Marsh said.

“Today’s developments create even bigger challenges for many of the players and their families, who continue to go above and beyond for our game.

“We’ll continue to provide the players our full support as these challenges are navigated.”

Swans chairman Andrew Pridham told the Herald Sun earlier this year Sydney could house up to nine AFL clubs.

Carlton and St Kilda could finish Thursday night’s game unaware who their next match will be against, when it will be played or what state it will be in.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said yesterday players would be “punted” from his state if they breached COVID-19 laws.

“Football players are not immune, they’re not exempt, they shouldn’t think they’re above the law,” McGowan said.

Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury yesterday said “pressure was rising” on players across the competition.

“I’ve noticed the stress at our football club rise in the last seven to 10 days having to deal with the unknowns,” Pendlebury told the Jock & Journo podcast.