AFL boss Gillon McLachlan isolates himself with cold symptoms.
Plus, Foxfooty.com.au may unveil AFL’s fixture framework before the eighth round announcement.
Follow the latest AFL developments on our rolling blog below.
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AFL CEO SELF-INSULATING WITH COLD SYMPTOMS
Gillon McLachlan, CEO of AFL, isolated himself and ran “a series” of Covid-19 tests after experiencing cold symptoms.
Speak with 3AWThe league chief said he was considering another test after the symptoms persisted.
“I had some of them (tests). I was locked up in my room and probably thought about having another one. I had one a few weeks ago, ”he said.
“I’ve been locked up in a room since I felt average yesterday, so I avoided it [my kids], but it’s getting more and more difficult. “
When asked about the large venue, McLachlan indicated when a final decision could be made.
“I expect we’ll make a decision in August when we know more,” said McLachlan.
“We play our punches fairly late because you don’t know what changes from day to day. I would say August, late August, but it may be later because things keep moving and you need the best information to make these decisions.
“I know that will be a big point of discussion, but we will do it as late as possible.”
McLachlan said the league is still planning to play at the MCG.
WA DERBY CROWD LOCKED AT 30K
Prime Minister of Western Australia Mark McGowan has decided to postpone the easing of restrictions in the fifth phase, forcing viewers to halve the seventh round Western derby.
Originally, the July 19 collision should have maximum capacity.
However, the Prime Minister of Washington decides not to reset the restrictions, which means the 2020 derby will be limited to 30,000.
AFL FIXTURE ANNOUNCEMENT TO DELAY
Tom Morris reports …
The next AFL games are expected to be announced next week.
Foxfooty.com.au The league hoped to release it on Friday, but a complex matrix of factors related to Covid-19 health problems, state government policies, and other factors will delay an official announcement.
AFL is committed to rounding rounds 8-12 within the current 32-day window before players return from their hubs.
It would shorten breaks between games, but give the league the much-needed freedom at the end of the season.
The clubs would return home before the weekend of August 15th and 16th and either say goodbye or play another round.
Victorian teams would compete against each other, while the eight non-Victorian clubs could fly around freely as usual.
Senior club sources believe that it is almost inevitable that Victorian clubs will then be asked to re-enter the hubs for five weeks to end the home and away season.
As first reported by foxfooty.com.au Last Friday, AFL assured players that they won’t be spending more than five weeks in hubs in this series of games.
Shorter quarters allow four-day breaks between games, although the league would endeavor not to schedule four-day breaks for clubs.
Footy is expected to stay Sunday night and Monday night when the AFL announces the next games, while the league could even host a game on Tuesday and / or Wednesday night if needed.
It is unclear when Essendon will play Melbourne to catch up early in the year, but it could happen in either of these midweek windows.
The AFL hopes to be able to confirm an appointment for the grand finale by the end of August.
WHATELEY BAFFLED AT ANZ STADIUM DISCUSSION
AFL 360 Co-host Gerard Whateley has urged that this year’s Grand Final not be held at the ANZ stadium and has described it as “a terrible idea”.
Footy reporter Caroline Wilson said this week that the stadium is currently the front runner should the decision be made outside of Victoria as the state continues to struggle with a second wave of Covid-19.
Keep talking IT ISWhateley said the stadium shouldn’t even be under discussion compared to other stadiums across the country.
“Just to confirm how unusual these times are, the ANZ Stadium – Footy’s most despised ground – speaks as the front runner as an alternative to the Grand Final if the MCG is out of the question,” he said.
“It’s not even listed in the Bible, the season leader, as an AFL venue. How could it possibly be seen as an opportunity for the greatest game of all if it isn’t even listed as an AFL venue?
“It’s a terrible idea. Not because it’s Sydney, but because it’s a terrible place.
“The Optus Stadium and Adelaide Oval have nothing to offer. If there has to be a rally, we have to gather for Perth and Adelaide.
“ANZ Stadium, spare me.”
AFL AVOIDS NSW HAMMER BLOW
AFL teams in Sydney would breathe a sigh of relief after an initial report on NSW Health’s new isolation arrangement suggested that all Victorian teams based there should retreat to self-isolation for 14 days.
The state yesterday passed a public health regulation that requires anyone who travels from Victoria to New South Wales to isolate themselves. Early reports indicate that the rule has also been applied retrospectively to newcomers in the past two weeks.
After some guesswork, NSW Health made it clear that the rule would only apply to travelers from Thursday.
“NSW Health will change the health regulations that came into force on July 8 to remove confusion about the interpretation of the regulations,” a department spokesman said Thursday evening.
“The government intended to ensure that any Victorian or anyone entering Victoria from NSW after the orders began had to isolate themselves.
“The government’s policy was NOT retroactive. This measure follows the legal notice that the orders are open for incorrect interpretation. “
CATS OPTIMISTICALLY ON INJURED DUO
Geelong coach Chris Scott believes the injured couple Mitch Duncan and Quinton Narkle have suffered “minor” injuries. Both will travel to Perth for the next game.
Both Duncan and Narkle went off the floor with thigh injuries at the start of the game, leaving the cats two men on the bench.
After his team’s 27-point victory over Brisbane, Scott hoped the couple would be back soon.
“I don’t know if this is positive or not, but both were problems where they were either pushed or really stretched,” said Scott.
“It wasn’t the standard Hammy they ran in, and it came out of nowhere. The first feedback is that both were minors.
“Duncan has been judged for a long time and there was a real possibility that he could come back, so I think that was a good sign.”
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