EMPTY THREAT

Tassie’s AFL games could be fan-free zones

TASMANIA’S AFL tenants may be forced to play their first regular-season matches in the state at empty stadiums if the league enforces fan lockouts.

ADAM SMITH

In a potential horror scenario for North Melbourne and Hawthorn as well as Tasmanian supporters, both clubs could walk on to Blundstone Arena and UTas Stadium to silence.

Reports yesterday said fan lockouts are likely to be enforced from Round 5 if the threat of coronavirus reaches a point where bans on mass gatherings are implemented.

North Melbourne hosts Fremantle in Hobart in Round 5 on Sunday afternoon, while the Hawks meet West Coast a week later on Anzac Day in Launceston. Blockbuster fixtures such as the Collingwood-Essendon clash and the Anzac Day Eve showdown featuring Richmond and Melbourne would also be affected in a major headache for the league.

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan declared on Tuesday all 198 home-andaway matches would proceed, even if it meant them taking place behind closed doors. “If mass gatherings are suspended then we will play games in stadiums with no crowds,” he said.

If Federal and State Governments ban public gatherings in an attempt to control the spread of the virus it will be the first time in the AFL’s 124season history games would be played in empty venues.

While a host of European soccer leagues have already reverted to fan-free matches, next week’s ODI between Australia and NZ is not expected to be affected. The trans-Tasman rivals start their three-match series in Sydney tomorrow night, with the last match to unfold in Hobart next Friday.

“We have had a brief conversation internally and are going to catch up on Monday to seek whatever advice we need and get a position,” Blundstone Arena venue manager Stephen McMullen said. “We’re not making any decisions, there has been no contact at all from anyone from AFL, Cricket Australia or anything like that. We will work with the relevant health bodies to make any decision we need to make.”