The Sydney AFL derby will be played in Ballarat with GWS and the Swans facing an extended stay in Victoria due to NSW’s coronavirus crisis.

The two Sydney clubs might have to remain based in Melbourne for the remainder of the season with NSW’s COVID-19 outbreak continuing to worsen.

The state recorded 112 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, with the NRL on Sunday following the AFL’s lead and relocating its NSW teams interstate.

The AFL confirmed the GWS and the Swans game would go ahead at 1.45pm at Mars Stadium this Saturday – the last round-18 fixture to be finalised.

“The COVID-19 situation in NSW and associated border restrictions has meant we are unable to play the match in NSW,” AFL clubs and broadcasting manager Travis Auld said.

“The upside of the unfortunate situation in NSW is that we can take what is a quality match-up to regional Victoria, with Mars Stadium in Ballarat once again being a great venue to accommodate the two clubs.”

The Giants were hoping the game could be played in Canberra, having made Manuka Oval a second home base since the club entered the AFL in 2012, but that was ruled out when the Victorian government declared the ACT a red zone on Sunday.

GWS got a taste of Ballarat’s Mars Stadium on Sunday, but lost to Gold Coast by a point.

“The Sydney Derby is always an entertaining contest between two fierce rivals with this week’s game being no exception, and so I encourage everyone who can attend to get along and watch another great spectacle,” GWS chief executive David Matthews said.

“I’d like to thank the AFL for moving quickly to secure this arrangement as well as the Ballarat community who’ve welcomed our club with open arms over the last week.”  

The Giants upset the Swans at the SCG in the first Sydney AFL derby this season, coming from behind to win by two points.

Both clubs have been based in Victoria since June 22 and are pushing for family members to be able to join players and staff in Melbourne, but that still appears unlikely.

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AAP