Fixture 2020 Fixture - The rest of the H&A fixture has now been announced!

[Lore]

Gillon McLachlan statement:

Over the last few months we have consistently spoken about our competition and our clubs' ability to adapt.

We have also spoken about ensuring we prioritise the health and welfare of our players, staff and the wider community.

The evolving situation around different states and communities has meant we have had to make decisions quickly and the relevant adjustments to ensure the season continues.

For this I can't thank our clubs, players, coaches, umpires, staff, broadcast and corporate partners enough.

We also appreciate the enormous sacrifice the families of travelling players and officials are making in allowing their loved ones to live interstate to ensure we get the competition away for our supporters.

Today we make another decision to ensure the health and welfare of everyone and to provide greater certainty to all involved in our game for the coming weeks.

Understanding the ongoing situation with Covid-19 in Victoria, Victorian teams will be based out of Queensland for up to 10 weeks as we aim to get the majority of the season complete in that timeframe.

Victorian teams based in Queensland that are fixtured to travel interstate to play, will travel to their game and then return back Queensland

Melbourne, which is currently based in NSW, will also move to Queensland next week.

We will also set up a transition hub in Queensland for players from those Victorian clubs who didn’t take full playing lists, and the AFL will also accommodate families who did not initially go up to the hubs with clubs.

If families and loved ones want to join their partners in Queensland, we will facilitate this.

This is a challenging period for a lot of families and homes around the country with various restrictions. AFL players and their families not immune to these challenges.

Both top up players and families will undergo a strict 14-day quarantine in a transition hub before reuniting with team-mates and partners.

We need to deal with the uncertainty, and this is a clear plan that makes Queensland the base for our competition and provides greater certainty for everyone.

We are not able to announce the future fixtures yet, however, we are working with the AFLPA and clubs on what compression is possible.

At the start of this pandemic, when we first shortened the season and the game-time, it was done to provide us with the flexibility and agility to make decisions like the ones today.

We must continue to embrace the challenge ahead.

We are still working through the finer detail but I want to thank the AFLPA and Paul Marsh for embracing this challenge and working with us and the clubs as we navigate the changing landscape. Their support and collaboration has been vital.

I would like to thank all the Premiers and Chief Medical Officers; whose guidance and protocols are what we anchor all our decision making on.

I would particularly like to acknowledge Premier Palaszczuk. The state of Queensland has been very accommodating in providing world class facilities for our clubs and we are in the process of booking accommodation for hundreds of players and officials.

I stress none of these measures can happen without strict quarantine protocols and the COVID management plan across all the states that has allowed the 2020 AFL season to proceed.

I do want to acknowledge the people of Victoria.

This is a tough time for individuals, families and businesses and our thoughts are with everyone who is in dealing with the impact of Covid-19. We know the community worked hard to address the first wave and are confident that we will continue to take the measures needed to deal with the virus.

I also want to thank Bachar Houli for his leadership in the middle of his own family crisis to be thinking of the wider community and sending a strong message to be tested if you feel any symptoms.

This season that is literally like no other.

Amongst all the changes, challenges, good days and bad ones, we continue to find a way through.

We will continue to keep our game alive, for the fans, for our clubs and for the thousands and thousands of jobs the competition provides.

We persevere because that’s what footy does – it always finds a way.

Statement attributed to AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan

AFL CEO releases statement following news Victorian teams will be based out of Queensland for up to 10 weeks

www.afl.com.au

emphasis mine


So Victorian teams based in Queensland for 10 weeks, they want to get most of the season done in that time, and the AFL is now prepared to facilitate the remaining players and players' families to move up to Queensland as well, if they want to, subject to 14 days of strict quarantine.

 

[ant555]

Gillon McLachlan statement:

Statement attributed to AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan

AFL CEO releases statement following news Victorian teams will be based out of Queensland for up to 10 weeks

www.afl.com.au

emphasis mine


So Victorian teams based in Queensland for 10 weeks, they want to get most of the season done in that time, and the AFL is now prepared to facilitate the remaining players and players' families to move up to Queensland as well, if they want to, subject to 14 days of strict quarantine.

Was only saying to Mrs Ant this morning that they should be looking for short term accommodation as there was no chance sides would be playing here again this year.

 

[ghostdog]

They'll have to truck in people to fill the stadium, but being a smaller stadium perhaps that won't be so difficult. (only half joking)

I'd almost rather have a 20th century style round robin than open that can of worms though. If there's no Perth team playing why would they hold it in Perth lol. Both of their clubs are fighting for the spoon already.

Might be surprised. An AFL GF in Brisbane is a once i n a lifetime opportunity. Lions will play a finals series so even if they don't make it through there still will have been heightened interest. A lot of Lions fans would go just because it's the GF. The Broncos are revolting this year as well, so Brisbane sports fans don't have much else this year.

 

[ghostdog]

Gill with no comment on the asterisk issue. Delist.

 

[Albertross]

Might be surprised. An AFL GF in Brisbane is a once i n a lifetime opportunity. Lions will play a finals series so even if they don't make it through there still will have been heightened interest. A lot of Lions fans would go just because it's the GF. The Broncos are revolting this year as well, so Brisbane sports fans don't have much else this year.

Yeah, if it's up here, it will be filled. Plenty of ex Vics and Croweaters up here that have been footy starved for years that would love the opportunity to go to a GF, even if their team wasn't playing.

 

[pepsi]

33 games will be played over 19 consecutive days of footy for rounds 9-12. Every team will get a bye through that period except for us and Melbourne.

 

[Lore]

33 games will be played over 19 consecutive days of footy for rounds 9-12. Every team will get a bye through that period except for us and Melbourne.

So every team plays 3 games in 19 days (rather than 21 which would be 3 full weeks), except us and Melbourne...

We have an 8 day break between round 7 and round 8 anyway so I guess that's our "bye" of a fashion, though we'll be flying to Adelaide.


So assuming it runs 27/7 to 15/8, probs works out something like this:

 

[ghostdog]

33 games will be played over 19 consecutive days of footy for rounds 9-12. Every team will get a bye through that period except for us and Melbourne.

So every team plays 3 games in 19 days (rather than 21 which would be 3 full weeks), except us and Melbourne...

We have an 8 day break between round 7 and round 8 anyway so I guess that's our "bye" of a fashion, though we'll be flying to Adelaide.


So assuming it runs 27/7 to 15/8, probs works out something like this:

View attachment 912910

3 five day breaks in a row with plenty of football in between. My wife will hate this. On the upside, Mozzie should get a run at some point!

 

[yaco55]

For the crowd. I'd be very surprised if Optus isn't far & away the clear early leader to host the GF given there's basically no chance it'll be at the MCG.

But yeah if the 2 QLD teams make a strong push for finals & there's a bunch of other teams up there already, I think I'd actually prefer the GABBA.

The two AFL states in SA and WA have done nothing to help the AFL in 2020 - They are not deserving.

 

[sameolds33]

The two AFL states in SA and WA have done nothing to help the AFL in 2020 - They are not deserving.

Those states were in lockdown and the teams from those states were the first to relocate. They've both been as accommodating to the AFL as any other state given the advice and protocols they've had to follow.

 

[rumply]

The two AFL states in SA and WA have done nothing to help the AFL in 2020 - They are not deserving.

QLD have been doing their bit, cant argue that.

 

[eth-dog]

The Gabba have similar dimensions to the MCG too.

 

[Fridge16]

It's the year 2068

"Back in 2020 I had to swim across the Murray at night, hitchhike through N.S.W, hide in a freight train to cross the QLD border just to see the Bombers win the Grand Final at the GABBA"

 

[mike14]

Pity the poor minion that will have to read through the 1000s of 'urgent/essential' business permit travel requests if a Vic team makes the GF in Brisbane

 

[yaco55]

Those states were in lockdown and the teams from those states were the first to relocate. They've both been as accommodating to the AFL as any other state given the advice and protocols they've had to follow.

Please - Even before the latest surge in Vic cases, Even going back to March, WA and SA were making players quarantine for 14 days - WA wouldn't even allow Collingwood and Geelong players to bring their families while they stayed in the hub - Compare that to NSW and QLD !

 

[sameolds33]

Please - Even before the latest surge in Vic cases, Even going back to March, WA and SA were making players quarantine for 14 days - WA wouldn't even allow Collingwood and Geelong players to bring their families while they stayed in the hub - Compare that to NSW and QLD !

They weren't making the "players" do anything. They simply didn't make any exceptions for the AFL who were subject to the same restrictions as everyone else. These were directed by their health advisors at a time the health of the state was more important to the state governments than the health of the AFL. The fact that they are AFL states is neither here not there, the health protocols meant that everyone including the AFL clubs were subject to the same conditions. Comparing SA and WA to NSW and Qld is not apples with apples - different health systems, population sizes, economies. For example, no way you could have all Vic teams in Adelaide or Perth - no equivalent of the Gold Coast or Woollongong in either state.

 

[JayJ20]

They weren't making the "players" do anything. They simply didn't make any exceptions for the AFL who were subject to the same restrictions as everyone else. These were directed by their health advisors at a time the health of the state was more important to the state governments than the health of the AFL. The fact that they are AFL states is neither here not there, the health protocols meant that everyone including the AFL clubs were subject to the same conditions. Comparing SA and WA to NSW and Qld is not apples with apples - different health systems, population sizes, economies. For example, no way you could have all Vic teams in Adelaide or Perth - no equivalent of the Gold Coast or Woollongong in either state.

QLD have still done more for the AFL than SA and WA. SA didn't even allow a single VIC team to hub there. If it wasn't for QLD, Port, Adelaide, West Coast and Fremantle couldn't have commenced the season. In fact, we wouldn't have a season at all.

The only argument for WA to host the grand final is crowd capacity because QLD deserve it more than WA or SA.

 

[Albertross]

It's the year 2068

"Back in 2020 I had to swim across the Murray at night, hitchhike through N.S.W, hide in a freight train to cross the QLD border just to see the Bombers win the Grand Final at the GABBA"

You forgetting about the 3 Vics caught hiding in a freight train trying to get into W.A.?

Queenslanders can travel back and forth across the border without being stopped, as long as you display a permit. You would be better off offering a handsome sum to one of the locals to pick you up in Northern NSW and driving you across the border in comfort, ie, in my boot. I'm open to offers and willing to negotiate, reckon I could fit 2 small blokes there, mat be tight but it's the price you pay.

 

[Fridge16]

You forgetting about the 3 Vics caught hiding in a freight train trying to get into W.A.?

Queenslanders can travel back and forth across the border without being stopped, as long as you display a permit. You would be better off offering a handsome sum to one of the locals to pick you up in Northern NSW and driving you across the border in comfort, ie, in my boot. I'm open to offers and willing to negotiate, reckon I could fit 2 small blokes there, mat be tight but it's the price you pay.

Switch 2 small blokes for 1 big bloke, a win tonight and I will be in touch

 

[sameolds33]

QLD have still done more for the AFL than SA and WA. SA didn't even allow a single VIC team to hub there. If it wasn't for QLD, Port, Adelaide, West Coast and Fremantle couldn't have commenced the season. In fact, we wouldn't have a season at all.

The only argument for WA to host the grand final is crowd capacity because QLD deserve it more than WA or SA.

Agree that Qld did more for the AFL - what you ignore is that Qld could do more because of their particular circumstances. SA and WA teams didn't even stay in their home states so obviously Vic teams not able hub there either. Each state working to their own medical advice; it'd be a brave premier who went against that advice 6 or so weeks ago, regardless of how much they wanted to accommodate the AFL and bring that revenue to the state. Even last night's game was criticised for the potential spread of Covid-19 by allowing spectators at the ground. They're tough political decisions that are made with the best interests of the state in mind. I have no doubt that if the AFL could have been accommodated they would have been.

 

[JayJ20]

Agree that Qld did more for the AFL - what you ignore is that Qld could do more because of their particular circumstances. SA and WA teams didn't even stay in their home states so obviously Vic teams not able hub there either. Each state working to their own medical advice; it'd be a brave premier who went against that advice 6 or so weeks ago, regardless of how much they wanted to accommodate the AFL and bring that revenue to the state. Even last night's game was criticised for the potential spread of Covid-19 by allowing spectators at the ground. They're tough political decisions that are made with the best interests of the state in mind. I have no doubt that if the AFL could have been accommodated they would have been.

Even if they wanted to accommodate the AFL following their own medical advice, we wouldn’t have had a season if QLD and to a lesser extent NSW didn’t help out. WA and SA haven’t been as accommodating as NSW and QLD, even with the knowledge that AFL players were subject to stricter social distancing protocols.

I’m not criticising WA and SA for following health advice. They should do what’s in the best interest of their own people. QLD should be considered before WA and SA if we’re strictly discussing the state that deserves the grand final.

 

[sameolds33]

Even if they wanted to accommodate the AFL following their own medical advice, we wouldn’t have had a season if QLD and to a lesser extent NSW didn’t help out. WA and SA haven’t been as accommodating as NSW and QLD, even with the knowledge that AFL players were subject to stricter social distancing protocols.

I’m not criticising WA and SA for following health advice. They should do what’s in the best interest of their own people. QLD should be considered before WA and SA if we’re strictly discussing the state that deserves the grand final.

Absolutely agree that if the GF venue was being decided now that Qld would be the front runner for a number of reasons, including the accommodation thus far. However, Gil is rightly waiting to see what happens next before committing to it. The Covid landscape could look very different and the AFL season could terminate early. No counting roosters this season, no certainty that what we see now is what we'll see in two months' time.

 

[JayJ20]

Absolutely agree that if the GF venue was being decided now that Qld would be the front runner for a number of reasons, including the accommodation thus far. However, Gil is rightly waiting to see what happens next before committing to it. The Covid landscape could look very different and the AFL season could terminate early. No counting roosters this season, no certainty that what we see now is what we'll see in two months' time.

Yep I agree. It'll be at the MCG until it isn't.

 

[sameolds33]

Yep I agree. It'll be at the MCG until it isn't.

Some scary numbers coming out of Victoria today. Stay safe Vics. I expect that many of the families will relocate to Qld now. I would. I was in HK during SARS and it was a relief to escape the constant vigilance in the end. Mentally fatiguing dealing with a pandemic.

 

[yaco55]

They weren't making the "players" do anything. They simply didn't make any exceptions for the AFL who were subject to the same restrictions as everyone else. These were directed by their health advisors at a time the health of the state was more important to the state governments than the health of the AFL. The fact that they are AFL states is neither here not there, the health protocols meant that everyone including the AFL clubs were subject to the same conditions. Comparing SA and WA to NSW and Qld is not apples with apples - different health systems, population sizes, economies. For example, no way you could have all Vic teams in Adelaide or Perth - no equivalent of the Gold Coast or Woollongong in either state.

The fact is the other states in Qld and NSW along with the NT who are interested in hosting AFL games have been far more helpful - We are discussing the AFL which have some of the highest bio-security protocols in the land, not some random traveller who wants to travel interstate - I have no idea whether the health needs of the WA/SA population are different to other states BUT once you decide YOU cant or are unwilling to help at that time, then you will probably be at the back of the queue when it comes to the AFL GF - Even in the earliest days of the pandemic the AFL were unable to fly in and fly out to SA or WA, unlike Qld and NSW to play games - Finally, if you fail to see there are some politics at play then you are naive.