Victoria gives green light to AFL’s return to training, playing

Daniel Andrews approves plans for return to training, but WA, SA restrictions still a stumbling block to season’s resumption.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has given the AFL a green light to progress with its plans for a return to training and playing.

From midnight on Tuesday night, professional athletes will be able to resume training in groups of ten, which is seen as a key step forward for the AFL to make a decision on a start date for an abridged 2020 season.

But whether a return to training occurs later this week is still contingent on governments in Western Australia and South Australia issuing exemptions to professional sports codes.

Players who have returned to WA and SA from interstate are currently in the midst of a 14-day isolation stint and would need special permission to be able to train. But the decision by Andrews, who has eased coronavirus shutdowns slightly in Victoria, boosts confidence that AFL matches could be played from midway through June.

“There has been a lot of work between the AFL and the public health team and we have agreed to a set of arrangements that will allow training for … professional sports to resume from midnight tomorrow night,” he said.

“Once training is up and running, that paves the way for the AFL and other codes (to make) other announcements.

“Training resuming paves the way for footy to be back. And I think we all want that, provided it is safe, appropriate and can be done in a safe way and I am confident that it can be.”

The restrictions would allow Victorian clubs to train together as an entirety given an exemption granted to professional workplaces.

But the AFL has been strong in stating every club must be given an equal opportunity when it comes to being able to prepare properly.

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

Sydney Swans players Isaac Heeney and James Bell train at Lakeside Oval in Sydney last week. Picture: Getty Images

The AFL Commission is meeting this afternoon, while a series of briefings will occur with other stakeholders across the industry.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, who is a member of the AFL’s coronavirus crisis cabinet, said he did not expect an announcement from the league until Tuesday at the earliest regarding a start date.

It is understood that, should the AFL be able to clear other hurdles, a return might be possible by June 11, though some clubs believe a more likely date is June 18.

Mr Andrews said the discussions with the AFL and rugby league club Melbourne Storm had been positive and ongoing.

Melbourne Demons brothers Oscar (right) and Tom McDonald train in Melbourne. Picture: AAP

He said the government authorities had warned the league that only athletes would be allowed to use club facilities such as gyms and that strict protocols must be followed.

“What we have done is say that each sport will put in place their own plans but they must be self contained,” he said.

“It must be exclusively for them. This is about containment. It is about managing a risk and in the event there is a positive test, we are in a strong position to contact trace.

“They need to have control of the space they are in. It has been a very positive partnership … and I am confident they understand there are risks and they need to do everything they can to mitigate this.”

Mr Andrews urged a commonsense approach and said that further decisions would be made in three weeks time.

He said this precluded the return of community sports in the short-term, with amateur football and programs like AusKick still on hold.

“Logic is the best guide in these things and if you are doubting whether you ought to be doing it, don’t,” he said.