THE AFL has made some changes to the upcoming game of the fifth round of the Toyota AFL Premiership season this week as the Queensland government’s quarantine requirements related to AFL teams based in Victoria have changed.
AFL has been informed that the Queensland government is changing the previously proposed exemptions due to concerns about Melbourne’s Covid-19 hotspots.
The change requires that any Queensland or Queensland team playing in Melbourne or against a Melbourne-based team in Queensland be quarantined for 14 days after the game if it stays in Queensland or returns directly to Queensland.
As a result, AFL adjusted the game this week when Carlton played St. Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. The West Coast Eagles will play Sydney Swans at Metricon Stadium on Saturday and Richmond on Sunday at MCG against Melbourne.
The completely revised game of the fifth round is now (changed games in bold):
Thursday July 2nd | STADIUM (NETWORK) | IS | LOCAL |
Carlton v St. Kilda | Marvel Stadium (SEVEN) | 7:40 p.m. | 7:40 p.m. |
Friday July 3rd | STADIUM (NETWORK) | IS | LOCAL |
Collingwood vs. Essendon | MCG (SEVEN) | 7:50 p.m. | 7:50 p.m. |
Saturday July 4th | STADIUM (NETWORK) | IS | LOCAL |
West Coast Eagles vs. Sydney Swans | Metricon Stadium (FOX) | 1:45 p.m. | 1:45 p.m. |
Geelong Cats vs. Gold Coast SUNS | GMHBA (FOX) | 4:35 pm | 4:35 pm |
Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne | Marvel Stadium (SEVEN) | 7:40 p.m. | 7:40 p.m. |
Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide | The Gabba (FOX) | 7:40 p.m. | 7:40 p.m. |
Sunday July 5th | STADIUM (NETWORK) | IS | LOCAL |
Adelaide Crows vs. Fremantle | Metricon Stadium (FOX) | 1:05 p.m. | 1:05 p.m. |
Melbourne vs. Richmond | MCG (SEVEN) | 3:35 pm | 3:35 pm |
GWS GIANTS vs. Hawthorn | Giants Stadium (FOX) | 6:10 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
AFL Club and Broadcasting Director General Travis Auld said AFL will continue to work with the Queensland government and other governments, along with broadcasters and clubs, to make changes to the facility to meet changing conditions in Queensland.
“I would like to thank the Government of Queensland and the Chief Health Officer for supporting the AFL season and for helping us make changes this week that meet their quarantine requirements for Covid-19 hotspots,” said Auld.
“Since the beginning of this Covid-19 pandemic, we have consistently said that every decision we make will be anchored in the government and chief health officers and that we are always committed to developing the strict protocols we have would rely on their advice to ensure that we protect the wider community as well as our players and employees.
“We understand the Queensland government’s decision and thank them for their support in developing the high-performance centers that have enabled us to bring Fremantle, West Coast Eagles, Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide into the state so our season can resume .
“We take the role we as the national leader in covid 19 virus containment take seriously and will continue to work with the government and medical experts to conduct our season so that community safety is prioritized and is promoted. ”
Mr. Auld also thanked the clubs – West Coast Eagles, Richmond, Melbourne and the Sydney Swans, as well as Carlton and St. Kilda – for their flexibility in helping them to change their matches.
“The need to be flexible and agile has led our thinking into this phase. The reason why we shortened the quarters and shortened the length of our season was the expectation that our season would bring further challenges if we did complete the remaining games. ” Mr. Auld said.
There are still 118 games left to play plus finals, and the AFL will continue to work with governments, health agencies, broadcasters, clubs, players and staff to develop a game that will deliver the season on the recommendation of these governments and health agencies.
AFL will review the implications for the following rounds before announcing changes required for the sixth and seventh rounds.
“We knew we had to be flexible and agile in 2020, and we will continue to be flexible and agile if we find our way. I would also like to thank our players, clubs and staff for their support of the protocols that have been put in place to ensure everyone’s safety, ”said Auld.
“I would also like to thank our fans for their support and patience and say that we will work as soon as possible to give you information about our next steps.”
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