The fifth game of the round was turned upside down due to the West Coast clash with Richmond on Thursday night due to a new attitude by the Queensland government.
>> CHECK THE REVISED R5 FASTENING BELOW
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Victoria, the Queensland Health Department guidelines apply at the weekend against Victorian clubs flying into the state.
Three games have been changed for this weekend, with more expected in the coming weeks.
This weekend, Richmond will instead stay in Victoria to play Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, while Sydney – which was supposed to be playing against the Demons – will play the Eagles at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With the opening in primetime on Thursday evening, Carlton’s appointment with St. Kilda on Saturday afternoon in the MCG was postponed to Thursday and is now played at Marvel Stadium.
Both Carlton and St. Kilda played in round four on Saturday and now have to take a five-day break before their clash on Thursday evening.
>> READ THE AFL REVIEW OF THE REVISED R5 MOUNT
Since both tenant clubs are at the Marvel Stadium, AFL took the opportunity to postpone the game in order to make the most of the availability and roof components of the site.
Although Gold Coast has to fly to Victoria on Saturday to play Geelong, the game continues as planned.
However, the Suns’ sixth round game against Hawthorn at the MCG is in the air according to the Queensland government guidelines.
They indicate that any Queensland or Queensland based team that:
– Games against a Melbourne, Queensland team must be quarantined for 14 days after the game. or
– Games in Melbourne must be quarantined for 14 days upon return to Queensland
– Matches in another state against a team that has been in Melbourne for the past 14 days must be quarantined when they return to Queensland.
After the fifth or sixth round, the Suns are expected to spend time playing in Sydney-based clubs in NSW to avoid returning to Queensland.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said the AFL fixation team will work in the coming days to clarify round six.
Brisbane is currently playing round six of the MCG against Collingwood. If this game were to take place, they would likely also spend time in NSW before returning home. The Lions will play Sydney against SCG in round seven.
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Melbourne’s round six clash with Fremantle, in which the demons have to fly to Queensland and play against the dockers who are in the AFL quarantine hub, is also dubious.
“Footballers love predictability, order, and routine. We all have to get used to not having predictability, order, and routine,” McLachlan said on Monday.
“This is what the 2020 season is about, it’s a challenge. Flexibility and agility will be the key features needed to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
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The clubs had a phone call to AFL executives on Monday morning and were instructed to prepare for future quarantine hubs to advance the season.
It is believed that the likelihood of a hub in the Northern Territory continues to be an option as the NT will open its borders on July 17th.
>> CHECK THE REVISED R5 FASTENING BELOW
Thursday July 2nd
Carlton v St. Kilda, Marvel Stadium (SEVEN), 7.40 p.m. AEST
Friday July 3rd
Collingwood v Essendon, MCG (SEVEN), 7:50 p.m. AEST
Saturday July 4th
West Coast Eagles v Sydney Swans, Metricon Stadium (FOX), 1:45 p.m. AEST
Geelong Cats v Gold Coast, GMHBA (FOX), 4:35 p.m. AEST
Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium (SEVEN), 7.40 p.m. AEST
Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide, The Gabba (FOX), 7.40 p.m. AEST
Sunday July 5th
Adelaide Crows v Fremantle, Metricon Stadium (FOX), 1:05 p.m. AEST
Melbourne v Richmond, MCG (SEVEN), 3:35 p.m. AEST
Greater Western Sydney v Hawthorn, Giants Stadium (FOX), 6:10 PM AEST
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