2020 Fixture

[one-eyed]

AFL restart date gathers steam

afl.com.au
12 May 2020

The mooted June 11 date to restart the AFL season is even closer to becoming a reality as the league closes in on its finalised plans, with an announcement expected on Wednesday.

The fixtured blockbuster between Collingwood and Richmond likely to remain as the first game of round two.

But the round is set to be brought forward from a rumoured June 18 or 25 start date to June 11 amid optimism within the Victorian government and the AFL.

“We’re beginning to cook with gas. June 11 looks a big possibility,” 7NEWS’ Tom Browne reports.

“Thursday night. Collingwood and Richmond most likely scenario - blockbuster.”

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-restart-on-june-11-gathers-steam-with-collingwood-richmond-blockbuster-likely-c-1031783

[Tiger Tragic]

Is it me or does blockbuster take on that status due to crowd interest in the game? Hard to understand how a blockbuster can be played in front of zero people.

[1965]

TV audience size.

[georgies31]

Let's see how were going with this virus in the coming weeks after lockdown.

[one-eyed]

AFL statement on Return to Train and Return to Play update

afl.com.au
12 May 2020

The AFL this morning has written to all 18 AFL clubs to remind them the current player training protocols that are in place will continue to apply until advised otherwise.

The AFL said it was continuing to work with all Governments on the return to play model and until this work was complete, all clubs had to follow the same strict training and isolation protocols that have been in place since March.

Those protocols include:

* Club facilities to remain closed, including club gyms;
   
* All coaching sessions and training programs must be provided remotely;
   
* Clubs can mandate fitness programs for players; however, they can only be conducted in isolation either at home or in an outdoor space which complies with government social distancing requirements;
   
* Ball work is permitted in open outdoor spaces and kick to kick with another single individual is permitted as long as social distancing is maintained and strict hygiene measures are employed (regular wiping of ball, washing/sanitising hands etc);
   
* GPS monitoring during the shutdown period is strictly not permitted;
   
* All medical services must be provided remotely.

The AFL will announce a Return to Train date and a Return to Play date later this week. 

It will also release over the coming week the training protocols component of the AFL’s Return to Play protocols, designed to protect the health and safety of players, staff and the wider community. 

The protocols, which were approved in principle by the AFL Commission at its meeting yesterday, are still being finalised.

TESTING AND COMPLIANCE

As the AFL continues to work with various Governments to confirm the Return to Play model, it also advised AFL clubs of a series of steps needed ahead of any return to club training.

* Clubs have been asked to nominate an internal Covid-19 Club Compliance Officer who will be responsible for ongoing player / staff education, leadership and compliance with the AFL Return to Play Protocols throughout the return of training and 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership season and promote the health, safety and welfare of all players, staff and the wider community.  The AFL will provide education sessions in the coming days for each club Compliance Officer before teams return to training.
   
* All players and staff who will be expected to be at their club for the return to train period must undertake an initial Covid-19 swab test with tests to begin later this week. This is in addition to the daily health checks that club doctors have been undertaking with players and Football Department staff since mid-March.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/433243/afl-statement-on-return-to-train-and-return-to-play-update

[one-eyed]

"Almost certain" Richmond will play Collingwood in Round 2 on a Thursday night.

Source: Mark Stevens on Ch 7 news.

[one-eyed]

Looks like the SA clubs will now have to join the WA clubs in Victorian hubs.

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Plans to see AFL’s return could be under threat as South Australian health authorities slam the brakes on interstate travel exemptions.

In an email between itself and the AFL, seen by 7NEWS, SA Health has ruled out any changes to the state’s current 14-day quarantine requirement for those crossing the borders.

The decision means there’s little chance any matches could be played in South Australia.

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-plans-thrown-into-disarray-as-sa-health-authorities-refuse-travel-exemption-for-crows-and-port-adelaide-c-1032526

[one-eyed]

Players set to be briefed about restart on Wednesday

By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
13 May 2020

PLAYERS are set to be briefed on Wednesday about the AFL's return to training and play plans.

AFL.com.au has confirmed the AFL Players' Association will be meeting its cohort across multiple sessions throughout the day as the League gets closer to its announcement of a date for games resuming.

It is expected players will also be notified of strict protocols around social gatherings despite restrictions easing via state governments in recent weeks. It shapes as an important meeting as the AFL prepares to get back on the field potentially by the middle of June.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/433272/players-set-to-be-briefed-about-restart-on-wednesday

[one-eyed]

Foxsports' Round 2 thought bubble:

Collingwood v Richmond (Thursday night)

It was reported on 7 News Melbourne on Tuesday night that this match-up was “almost certain” to re-launch the AFL season. If that comes to fruition, what a way to recommence the year with two premiership contenders coming off impressive Round 1 victories. It’s a match-up that makes sense too, given it was initially slated for Round 2 in the pre-coronavirus fixture.

Adelaide v Port Adelaide (Friday night)

Essendon v Carlton                     (Saturday afternoon)
Sydney Swans v GWS Giants       (Saturday twilight)
Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns (Saturday night)
Geelong v Hawthorn                    (Saturday night)

St Kilda v Melbourne                        (Sunday early)
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs (Sunday afternoon)
West Coast Eagles v Fremantle         (Sunday night)

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-fixture-2020-dream-round-2-match-ups-collingwood-vs-richmond-west-coast-eagles-vs-fremantle/news-story/893cd0eb8775f6bfd4e28ce4c2959ee5

[one-eyed]

The Hot Breakfast's footy news breaker Tom Browne reported this morning that the AFL could release an updated fixture as soon as tomorrow.

Browne said that the first five or six weeks of fixture are likely to be announced in the coming days, while the remainder of the fixture will be released over time.

Interestingly, Browne expects all games to re-start the season to be played on the eastern states (VIC, NSW & QLD), meaning that the WA & SA clubs will need to potentially relocated to Victoria.

https://www.triplem.com.au/story/details-of-the-afl-fixture-being-released-161022

[one-eyed]

All the Victorian clubs players are being tested for covid-19 at Marvel Stadium today.

Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin said getting footy back is “great for the community” and worth more than eased living restrictions for players, who will see dozens of teammates, coaches and club staffers at training each day.

Cotch also said the test certainly isn't pleasant but it is what it is and it will be good to know where they stand.









https://www.aflphotos.com.au/galleries/results/?q=collection:AFL%202020%20Media%20-%20AFL%20Players%20Covid-19%20Testing%20130520
https://www.afl.com.au/news/433293/covid-19-mass-testing-begins-as-afl-gears-up-for-return
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/players-will-cop-restrictions-dangerfield-c-1033958
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-afl-2020-afl-live-blog-afl-memo-afl-restart-date-afl-quarantine-covid19-coronavirus/news-story/4b4439794deca2f0974683f03dde29f1

[one-eyed]

Mark Stevens on Ch 7 news said the Eagles are going to a hub on the Gold Coast and play their 'home' games there to avoid the playing Victorian clubs in Melbourne. The Dockers are likely to join them.

On the SA clubs, his 'sources' are saying the SA government will give in and allow the Crows and Port to FIFO.

Stevens also said the AFL will announce a return to training schedule tomorrow but we will have to wait a few more days for a return to play schedule and the new fixture.

[WilliamPowell]

Relief to see a number of our players in our co-major sponsor's product 

[one-eyed]

Footy Classified tonight said:

Round 2 and the fixture:

* Ch 7 & Fox want the biggest game to restart the season. Collingwood vs Richmond was originally scheduled for round 2 anyway.

* Lloyd thinks that only 5-6 weeks will be announced at a time given the fluidity of the covid situation. Give a chance to reset later on in the season if WA clubs are able to play home games in their own state.

WA clubs:

* WA clubs will be given permission from the WA government to fully train with contact from May 28.

* Caro mentioned the discussion about the Eagles (and Dockers) wanting to go to the Gold Coast for their hub. It was said West Coast want to play all their games up there including opposition home games. Eddie spoke about Collingwood and Richmond heading up to Qld for 21 days and playing a block of 4 away matches against the Eagles, Freo, Lions and the Suns. There's 16 rounds to go so there could be 4 blocks of 4 games (2 home & 2 away).

SA clubs:

* Eddie had a leaked letter from the SA government stating the SA clubs will still NOT be allowed to FIFO. They will also have to train in groups of no more than 10 until June 8 (which is 3 days before the proposed start of the season).

* Caro blamed the Crows for this as well as the light sentence dished out. Eddie said punishment sometimes needs to be seen to fit the crime as much as it does. Caro added the Age has an article tonight stating the SA health chiefs have slammed Adelaide's Barossa outing and that the AFL 'don't understand quarantine'.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/sloane-assumes-families-welcome-in-hubs-20200513-p54skf.html

* Seems the Crows will now cop a real punishment given they will have to move into an interstate hub just to train properly. Eddie said a txt message should be going out tonight telling the players to pack their bags. Ross Lyon asked why should the Crows get a choice of a hub now given they have put the AFL season in jeopardy and that they should be now forced to train and play in Victoria. Eddie put up a graphic showing 25 Crows are originally from Victoria anyway.

* Port will be forced to do the same. Eddie added this is one more reason for Port supporters to hate the Crows.

[one-eyed]

The two likely AFL season restart dates

By SEN
14 May 2020

According to Caroline Wilson, coaches, broadcasters and most clubs are all keen for a June 18 restart, while the AFL is pushing to resume the season on June 11.

Round 2 will reportedly open with a blockbuster Thursday night clash between Richmond and Collingwood.

“I’ve always felt June 18,” Wilson told Sportsday.

“That’s what I’m hearing from the networks, that’s what I’m hearing from most of the clubs, that is what the coaches want, and the coaches are very keen to get a bit of extra time.

“But I know that the AFL is very keen to start on June 11. There’s a lot of obstacles in the way to getting there now, particularly if those clubs (SA and WA) can’t do contact training next Monday, which is what the AFL was hoping.”

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/05/13/the-two-likely-afl-season-restart-dates/