Richmond vs Carlton @ the MCG, Round 1, 2020

[Gracie]

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

This will go on until they find a vaccine. Even if they find one now there are protocols to test which takes months and then live trials that takes even more months. The best guess as to when one will be available is this time next year.

2 weeks 5 weeks or 10 weeks is not going to long enough.

Only two courses of action is to cancel the season or start with no crowds and see how this all unfolds

The biggest defence against many many deaths is to limit the speed of the spread of the contagion so that our medical capabilities are not overwhelmed

[Francois Jackson]

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

This will go on until they find a vaccine. Even if they find one now there are protocols to test which takes months and then live trials that takes even more months. The best guess as to when one will be available is this time next year.

2 weeks 5 weeks or 10 weeks is not going to long enough.

Only two courses of action is to cancel the season or start with no crowds and see how this all unfolds

The biggest defence against many many deaths is to limit the speed of the spread of the contagion so that our medical capabilities are not overwhelmed

im betting against this, and predicting it will be all over or at least grinds  to a halt within 2 months. 

[Diocletian]

Worse comes to worst the AFL should just reschedule the season so everyone plays each other only once , that makes the season as fair as possible, is only five less games and with the bye/split rounds, allows for a six week shut down window, which should be more than enough...of course if we then go back to back cue the chorus of "not a real flag" from salty oppo flogs.....

[Diocletian]

Playing in front of crowds should at least give North a massive advantage...

[one-eyed]

Fans to get refunds for round one tickets

By Adam Curley
afl.com.au
14 March 2020

In a statement released by League boss Gillon McLachlan, the AFL said that spectators who have purchased tickets for round one via Ticketmaster and Ticketek will receive a refund.

No decision has been made on how members of any club, AFL or venue will be affected, but the statement said that those involved will be informed in coming days.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/385056/fans-to-get-refunds-for-round-one-tickets

[Rampsation]

I now favor a 17 game season and then a final 5 finals series.

[one-eyed]

Eddie Betts out.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/385122/blue-blow-veteran-goalkicker-to-miss-opening-rounds-of-season

[one-eyed]

New document reveals updated ‘shutdown’ timeline as AFL plots drastic measures

Glenn Valencich and Tom Browne
7 News
Saturday, 14 March 2020 5:21 pm

Concerned about a government-enforced shutdown, the AFL is attempting to secure fast-turnaround coronavirus tests to safeguard the league against an outbreak that could prematurely postpone the season.

The AFL is preparing to radically adjust upcoming games and the 2020 fixture to complete as many games as possible in a short space of time.

While previous predictions have suggested April and May could be the peak infection period, the AFL’s timeline for a potential government-enforced break focuses on June and July.

That expectation has forced mass changes to contingency plans for the coming months, with league headquarters itself weighing up separating employees into ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams to limit the effect of an outbreak.

A number of proposals have been circulated in a document obtained by 7NEWS on Saturday.

With the primary aim protecting broadcast funds in the wake of lost game-day revenue, 7NEWS understands the key measures include:

    Forcing teams to play 4-5 games in a three-week period
    Squeezing the fixture to play all 198 home-and-away games
    Shortening games, adding rotations and extending the interchange bench
    Informing players they must stay home from university and study online
    Promoting good hygiene and social distancing to limit the spread

Round one will begin on Thursday behind closed doors after the league was forced to close the gates, with the Australian government recommending the cancellation of non-essential gatherings of 500 people or more.

Source: 7 News website

[pmac21]

Should the AFL have some ambient noise playing through their speaker system like crowd noise after a goal?? 

[Tigeritis™©®]

Playing in front of crowds should at least give North a massive advantage...

And Hawthorn now that they aren’t winning premierships “supporters” aren’t attending anymore 

[one-eyed]

Pendlebury is in self-isolation.


Pies' AFL skipper reportedly in self-isolation

AAP
16 March 2020

Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury is reportedly in self-isolation away from his teammates after exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

It is unknown whether the 32-year-old has been tested for COVID-19.

According to a News Corp report, Pendlebury has missed two training sessions.

...

Tigers captain Trent Cotchin said the cancellation and postponement of sporting competitions around the world "raises an alarm" for the AFL.

He predicted it would be an "eerie" feeling to play in front of no fans.

"For me, first and foremost, the health and safety of our players is absolutely paramount and then that obviously extends to our families and so forth as well," Richmond skipper Cotchin told SEN on Monday.

"So I would like to think that the decisions that are being made are purely the safest decisions and not based around just getting just a show on for our fans."

https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/28908165/pies-afl-skipper-reportedly-quarantine

[Andyy]

Richmond has the most to lose in 2020, being the frontrunner...

[Francois Jackson]

Quick let's panic load up at coles as pendles has the uumm flu

What a massive load of poo of this game doesn't go ahead behind clothes doors

[Diocletian]

What a massive load of poo of this game doesn't go ahead behind clothes doors

Bit hard to play footy in a wardrobe...

[one-eyed]

Gill presser @ 5:30pm.