FOOTY STARS TACKLE BIG TES T

From Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin (above) to Geelong Grammar student turned Bulldogs star Easton Wood (left), some of the AFL’s biggest names were tested for COVID-19 yesterday, getting swabbed at a drive-through clinic at Marvel Stadium. The tests came amid news the AFL stands to lose $104 million in TV rights cash.

IT was “not very pleasant”, but Richmond captain Trent Cotchin knew yesterday would be a vital step to getting football back.

Cotchin, 30, was one of about 250 players and officials who were swabbed at a pop-up coronavirus testing facility at Marvel Stadium yesterday, with the league mandating that every person to be involved in the game be tested by tomorrow.

The testing blitz was ordered on Tuesday and wasted no time.

Similar to other testing hubs set up by health authorities around the country, players and officials did not leave their cars. A designated official was on hand to administer the test.

It involves a swab being taken from the mouth and also a long swab inserted deep into the nose.

Results can take up to a few days to receive, with the Friday deadline set in an effort to have all results on hand by Monday’s hoped return to training.

“It’s not very pleasant, but it is what it is,” Cotchin admitted after his turn came.

“At least we’ll be clear on where we all stand.”

Cats players will be tested in Geelong, while interstate teams have dedicated testing sites in their respective cities.

AFL players were consulted across a day of phone hookups with the AFL Players’ Association yesterday, where they were briefed on a range of return-to-play protocols.

Players will be tested twice a week when training and competition resumes, and will be forced to quarantine in their homes with little social contact in an effort to keep the game virus-free.

Cotchin said it was going to be the price paid in order to have football return as soon as possible.

Bombers star Devon Smith was one of the first tested.

“It was pretty quick, it wasn’t that fun though, but got it done,” Smith said. “Hopefully everyone’s clear and we can get into it.”