The GWS Giants hold out hope of being able to head to Canberra for their crunch game against Port Adelaide this weekend.
The Giants have been on the road for more than a month amid their home city’s coronavirus outbreak, initially relocating to Melbourne before moving to Queensland.
Coach Leon Cameron said GWS were optimistic they would be permitted to travel to Canberra, which the club considers a second home, for their round 20 clash but otherwise expected to remain in Queensland.
“We hope it’s at Canberra,” he said.
“There’s no doubt it’s got its challenges, but we’ve been trying to get back there and play some games there, probably the last three or four weeks.
“But every time we sort of make that move, something happens and it gets shut down and the AFL have to change it.
“But we’d love nothing better than to go to Canberra, play at our second home.
“If that opportunity comes around, we’d love to take it but, clearly, we’re under the guidance of the AFL and the states on what restrictions are there.
“If it’s not there, you’d probably presume it’s up here (in Queensland)”.
The Giants should regain vice-captain Toby Greene for the game, who along with teammates Matt De Boer, Kieren Briggs and Jake Stein, is in isolation until Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Essendon expect to remain in Queensland for a third consecutive week to face Sydney but are keen to return to Melbourne as soon as possible.
“I think our game’s on Saturday night next week so yeah at the moment we’re expecting to be up here,” coach Ben Rutten said.
“But we understand and trust the AFL are doing everything they can to try and obviously get us home.
“I think it’s important that, obviously, we play our home games at home where possible, but certainly the circumstances at the moment (don’t) allow that.
“Certainly, our preference is to obviously get back home as quick as we can and play our games there.”
Geelong and North Melbourne expect to be given exemptions to play each other in Hobart.
“Yeah, as far as we’re aware,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said.
“It’s a bit strange that we’ve got two Victorian teams getting on a plane in this environment, but that seems to be the program.”
Richmond were due to fly to Western Australia on Sunday night and are set to quarantine at Joondalup Resort before playing Fremantle next Sunday.
AAP
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