Richmond vs Carlton @ the MCG, Round 1, 2020

[one-eyed]

Mark Stevens (@Stevo7AFL) · Twitter

Financial losses to clubs playing in empty stadiums so great, hearing a 4-6 week delay more palatable. Whatever, footy finds a way.

Four week delay or no crowds. Crunch coming. What would you, the fan, prefer? Two byes mid season and pre finals gives wriggle room.

https://twitter.com/Stevo7AFL

[mightytiges]

All mass gatherings banned by the Feds.

So this won't go ahead unless it's played in an empty MCG.

I cant find this. Can you please quote your source.

Reporting this on SEN.

Also mentioned here: https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/coronavirus-australia-mass-gatherings-of-more-than-500-expected-to-be-banned-c-743351

OK "expected to"
A fast moving mass of goo is what we have.

If Murphy says mass gatherings (>500 people) should be cancelled then they will be cancelled. All governments are adhering to the medical advice. There's a Fed presser soon (Morrison & Murphy) to officially confirm it.

[Willy]

Don't think this will be over in 2 months so i'm not sure the '2 months delay' thing will work.

[one-eyed]

All mass gatherings banned by the Feds.

So this won't go ahead unless it's played in an empty MCG.

I cant find this. Can you please quote your source.

Reporting this on SEN.

Also mentioned here: https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/coronavirus-australia-mass-gatherings-of-more-than-500-expected-to-be-banned-c-743351

OK "expected to"
A fast moving mass of goo is what we have.

If Murphy says mass gatherings (>500 people) should be cancelled then they will be cancelled. All governments are adhering to the medical advice. There's a Fed presser soon (Morrison & Murphy) to officially confirm it.

Mass gathering ban starts Monday.

“We will be advising against organised, non-essential gatherings of 500 persons or greater from Monday,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

“These events that we are seeking to advise against and restrict are for non-essential gatherings.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/coronavirus-impact-on-sport-latest-coronavirus-news-impact-on-sports-leagues-afl-nrl-tokyo-olympics-football-tennis-f1/news-story/af35f4955b010d3222809f06a224b6b1

[one-eyed]

AFL presser at 5:30pm.

[one-eyed]

It's being reported that the NRL will continue to play their games after this weekend (from round 2 onwards) behind closed doors.

So that's a potential portent to what the AFL will do.

[one-eyed]

AFL presser at 5:30pm.

The presser has been cancelled. Media down at AFL HQ for nothing.

SEN now saying the AFL will think about it over the weekend and will wait until Monday to make a decision.

[one-eyed]

Whateley on SEN just said his "intimate source that's close to this sort of thing" is saying that the favoured option as of now is to proceed with the season as is but with no crowds.

[taztiger4]

Whateley on SEN just said his "intimate source that's close to this sort of thing" is saying that the favoured option as of now is to proceed with the season as is but with no crowds.

Selfishly, that would be my preference

I've got 6 interstate flights & accommodation booked as well as RFC Functions paid for @ GWS,Brisbane & GC games, hopefully the threat will be dealt with soon

[one-eyed]

Confirmed by the AFL. Round 1 to go ahead but without crowds (for now).


THE AFL plans to play round one of the 2020 season as scheduled, but without spectators in stadiums.

After a series of meetings which began before 7am Friday, the AFL commission on Friday evening told its clubs it intended to play all nine matches of round one, as fixtured, as the first part of the contingency plans required to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak which is sweeping the world.

It has, though, reserved the right to revisit that decision as new information from federal and state governments, and medical health authorities, comes to hand.

The AFL is preparing to reschedule all matches beyond round one, as it knows it will almost certainly have to indefinitely shut down its competition to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak.

There are effectively four weeks of wiggle room for the AFL in the 2020 season, in order to squeeze in the 198 matches – the two bye rounds (the one each club gets midway through the season and the one post round 23) as well as the two weeks after the Grand Final (September 26), before the MCG needs to be handed back to cricket authorities for a T20 World Cup tournament.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/384878/coronavirus-crisis-afl-makes-call-on-round-one

[mightytiges]

With still 6 days to go and how fast this is progressing, it wouldn't surprise me if this changes again before then. This time last week the Grand Prix was going ahead with crowds and now it's been cancelled. Only takes one player to catch it before Thursday night and the start of the season will mostly likely be postponed.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Would’ve made more sense to start the season 5 rounds late and trial the 17 round year at the same time.
Anyways, I’ll be interested to see how the Eagles go getting free kicks at home with no one in it

[Andyy]

This is going to be going on for months, especially given the southern hemisphere is entering flu season soon as opposed to the top end. The symptoms are identical so it will be a nightmare once that hits too.

I can see no crowds for half or more of the year, no problem. If players etc get sick it wouldn't surprise me if the season goes on hold.

[Diocletian]

Essendon fans should be getting excited.... the May Premiership could constitute the actual Premiership this year.....

[rogerd3]

Lockdown coming.