Uncertainty returns to AFL amid an escalating Covid-19 crisis

Victoria’s AFL players are locked down while those travelling interstate are packing extra clothes as an escalating Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne creates uncertainty.

The Bombers have flown to Perth early for this weekend’s clash against West Coast as the Covid-19 situation escalates in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Victoria’s AFL players are in lockdown, those travelling interstate are packing extra clothes, the MCG has been identified as a Covid-19 hot spot and South Australia has slammed shut the border to greater Melbourne.

Hawthorn will not be travelling to Darwin to play the Gold Coast this weekend due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne.

The AFL was considering on Wednesday night whether to reschedule the match at Metricon Stadium or postpone it until a later date.

Rounds through June where teams will undergo a bye on alternate weekends provides some flexibility.

Marvel Stadium has joined the MCG ad a hotspot from last weekend’s round of football.

The AFL confirmed a patron carrying Covid-19 attended Essendon’s thrashing of North Melbourne on Sunday.

Fans sitting on Level 1, between Aisles 5 and 28, or Level 3, between Aisles 6 and 29, are advised to immediately get tested and isolate until they receive a negative test.

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The Department of Health are also asking anyone else who attended the game and were seated outside of the areas listed to monitor for symptoms and to get tested if symptoms develop.

Both the AFL and Melbourne-based clubs took urgent action on Wednesday in a bid to ensure that this weekend’s round of football progressed as planned after a Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne.

Essendon boarded a flight to Perth early on Wednesday for Saturday night’s clash against West Coast, while the Blues were Sydney-bound later in the day for their match with the Swans.

But wrinkles remain and further adjustments are likely in what is a fluid situation.

Adelaide was set to play the Tigers at the MCG on Sunday. But there is now a challenge to overcome after the South Australian government closed the border to residents of the greater Melbourne area at 6pm on Wednesday.

SA Chief Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said any exemption sought by the Crows would be assessed.

“They need to provide information to our exemption team and we can do a work around,” she said. “We would have to do look at that individual circumstance and the risks at the time.”

Port Adelaide players and staff were forced into isolation until cleared by testing after it was discovered a Covid-19 carrier had attended their victory over Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.

A section of the Southern Stand at the MCG was declared a hotspot and the Power shared a commercial flight back to Adelaide on Sunday with fans who were sitting in that section of the ground.

The Western Bulldogs received the all-clear after undergoing Covid-19 testing ahead of the top-of-the-table clash against Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

At this stage, the capacity for matches played in Victoria will be 85 per cent, though the state government and health authorities are wary given the escalating crisis.

The AFL is set to open the roof at Marvel Stadium for the first time this year on Friday night to enable the facility to be described as an outdoor venue.

The arrangement will also be in place for North Melbourne’s clash against St Kilda on Saturday.

But the prospect remains that crowds will be locked out of Victorian matches, as proved the case earlier this year in Perth for the Len Hall Tribute match and the WA derby between Fremantle and West Coast.

Victorian players have been asked to comply with lockdown rules for the next week and are effectively allowed out only for food and supplies, to provide care if necessary, to exercise and to go to work.

Carlton defender Jacob Weitering said the Blues have been told they will be able to return to Melbourne immediately after the clash against the Swans.

But he was packing extra clothes as a precaution, which is not surprising given both Brisbane and Fremantle have already been forced into extended road trips this year.

“We got the message last night that we would be flying out this afternoon and it was just a bit of a mad scramble to pack bags, get the test done and then get over to Sydney for the big game,” he told SEN.

“I’ll be packing for longer than Sunday just to be sure. The AFL has been terrific and, understanding we’ve been through this all of last year, processes have been put in place for us to get up there safely, play the game and then get back home.”

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli said players were mindful they may well be forced to enter a hub again at some stage in 2021.

“I think we would be (prepared for hubs). You understand the landscape and it’s an ever-changing environment. That is always a chance,” he said.

“I think everyone has their fingers crossed (that) we don’t get to that. Clearly, if that becomes something we need to consider, the right discussions will be had.

“We know they do move quickly. For right now, hopefully we can get a handle on the current environment.”