The AFL fixture is again in disarray, with three matches postponed and several clubs fleeing Queensland because of the state’s coronavirus lockdown.
Saturday’s Gold Coast-Melbourne and Essendon-Sydney fixtures have been affected, as has Sunday’s GWS-Port Adelaide contest.
AFL fixtures boss Travis Auld said the league is working through its options with how to fit those games into the future schedule.
“The evolving COVID situation in Queensland has seen the state announce a three-day lockdown and, as a result, we have had to postpone three games scheduled to be played in Queensland in round 20,” Auld said.
“These games will be rescheduled to be played at a time to be confirmed.
“While the pandemic will continue to challenge us, the health and safety of those in our game and the wider community remains paramount.”
Queensland’s lockdown begins at 4pm on Saturday, with the government ruling out all professional sport.
“There will be no football matches,” Queensland chief health officer Jeanette Young said.
“No community sport, no professional sport, nothing for the next three days.”
Melbourne players were on a flight to the Gold Coast on Saturday morning when the south-east Queensland lockdown was announced.
The AFL confirmed the charter flight will now return to Melbourne later on Saturday.
GWS, Sydney and Essendon have been operating out of temporary bases in Queensland but the Giants and Essendon are due to fly from the Gold Coast to Melbourne together on Saturday afternoon, while Sydney and the Suns are expected to follow suit.
GWS heading to Melbourne could see them play Port Adelaide, who are currently based in Melbourne, in Victoria on Sunday.
The MCG, Marvel Stadium and GMHBA Stadium are currently all available on Sunday.
Port Adelaide were due to fly to the Gold Coast from Melbourne but are now in a holding pattern awaiting further information.
Power coach Ken Hinkley’s scheduled pre-match press conference on Saturday morning was postponed at the last minute, with the club set to provide an update on their plans later in the day.
Brisbane also postponed coach Chris Fagan’s Saturday afternoon press conference in Launceston, where the Lions are scheduled to take on Hawthorn on Sunday.
That match has been given approval to go ahead as planned because the Lions flew out of Queensland earlier on Saturday.
Brisbane are due to take on Fremantle in Perth in round 21 and could stay on the road until then.
A VFL match between Gold Coast’s reserves and Southport was called off midway through the first quarter on Saturday soon after the Queensland lockdown was announced.
Essendon’s VFL game against Aspley and Brisbane’s game against Sydney have been postponed. The six clubs will play their rescheduled games in their bye weekend.
AAP
