The surge in Covid-19 cases in Victoria and the stringent new quarantine regulations imposed by the Queensland government have threatened to bring chaos to recently resumed football seasons as the AFL has been forced to change the game at the last minute this week.
Victoria announced 75 new cases of corona virus on Monday, and the Queensland government urged any Queensland team or team based in the state to quarantine for 14 days when playing against a Melbourne team.
They must also be quarantined for 14 days if they return to Queensland after playing a Melbourne game or if they have played against a Melbourne team in another state.
As a result, Richmond’s fifth West Coast game, scheduled for Thursday evening at the Eagles’ Hub on the Gold Coast, has been postponed.
Instead, Sydney will play the Eagles at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, while Richmond will play Melbourne on Sunday at the MCG. Carlton and St. Kilda will fill Thursday night slot at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
According to AFL’s general manager for clubs and radio, other changes to the game schedule could go beyond this week’s round.
“I would like to thank the Queensland government … for supporting the AFL season and for helping us make changes this week that meet their quarantine requirements for Covid 19 hotspots,” said Travis Auld.
“Since the beginning of this Covid-19 pandemic, we have consistently said that any decision we make will be anchored in the government and chief health officers, and we will always rely on their advice.
“We understand the Queensland government’s decision.”
The Queensland government regulations apply to all sports teams in all codes, increasing the possibility of interference with other sports that have recently been resumed or are about to begin.
The NRL was the first Australian league to resume after the closure. After the increase in cases in Melbourne, the storm changed to NSW last week. The club has since moved again and is based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Three other teams – Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys – are based in Queensland.
Melbourne Victory should start the resumed A-League season at AAMI Park on July 16, but the situation in Victoria has raised doubts as to whether this game can be played.
The new Super Rugby competition with Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds starts on July 3rd. There are question marks during the Super Netball season, which features two Victorian teams and one from Queensland, and is slated to start in early August.
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