Opinion 2021: Once again disappointed with the fixture

[Senor M]

Yea, state governments didn't know what was going to happen back then and were in full panic mode and shut down everything. Fast forward a full year and things are very differently, we are going to have an Australia Open with player entourages coming from all over the world to play. If we can manage that, I'm sure State Governments can manage having an AFL team isolating in a hotel for 12 hours (having a private bus taking them to and from the game) then flying home without any contact with the public.

It's great for the economy and will bring some joy to the locals, things Governments need. It can fairly easily be done safely as well, 100% it will happen. The only danger will be if AFL players are caught leaving the hotels and breaching restrictions, which may cause state governments to cancel it.

Have you SEEN what State governments have done in the past few months?

• Short, sharp lockdowns with minimal notice (SA, QLD)
• Border closures (parts of the country to NSW, Vic, Bris)

The Big Bash has been played mostly in hubs and outside of some clubs home states for almost the entire competition and even then there's been half a dozen games moved to different venues to ensure that BBL players will be eligible to enter different states. What's saying that the AFL will be any different?

The Australian Open is a different circumstance because players are doing a 14 Day quarantine before they commence. The AFL can't afford to do that every time a team plays in a different state.

 

[Obeanie1]

We wont be seeing big crowds anywhere for a while, but long term plans are built on what you expect to happen over the longer term.

And in testing times if a business isn't agile to changing circumstances they will fail.

Many would like a long term plan of fixture equality. Now looks like a great time to work towards that. Why, because huge crowds are unlikely.

 

[Obeanie1]

Not if Big Daddy Mark has his way..

I think everyone forgets--- it wasn't the COVID outbreak that caused the suspension of the AFL season last year, it was border closures making the season initially unworkable.

Actually it was Victorians who couldn't manage covid that forced borders to close.

Hopefully 12 months later everyone has learned something.

Unfortunately the rest of the world is actually worse off now than 12 months ago. We have a more infectious strain spreading.

 

[telsor]

Yea, state governments didn't know what was going to happen back then and were in full panic mode and shut down everything. Fast forward a full year and things are very differently,

Really?

If anything, lockdowns are more extreme.


---
Yes, an exception is being made for the tennis, but that's a combination of big $$$ and a really major 'special' quarantine effort (paid for and organised by the tennis, with govt sign off). Even then, crowds are 'to be determined'.

Not sure the AFL could manage that.

 

[telsor]

And in testing times if a business isn't agile to changing circumstances they will fail.

Many would like a long term plan of fixture equality. Now looks like a great time to work towards that. Why, because huge crowds are unlikely.

Many wouldn't like it too.

and in changing circumstances, the AFL will go with what brings in the most money rather than pandering to a minority who will never be happy whatever they get.

 

[theyellowsash]

Actually it was Victorians who couldn't manage covid that forced borders to close.

Hopefully 12 months later everyone has learned something.

Unfortunately the rest of the world is actually worse off now than 12 months ago. We have a more infectious strain spreading.

Clearly NSW hasn't learnt from us though so I can't see an uninterrupted season this year

 

[Obeanie1]

Clearly NSW hasn't learnt from us though so I can't see an uninterrupted season this year

Welcome to the new normal......for another 18 months at least.