Swann: COVID-19 challenge unrivalled

BRISBANE chief executive Greg Swann says the coronavirus is the most challenging issue the AFL has faced in his 25 years as a top administrator and expects both the league and Lions to be “impacted greatly” by COVID-19.

The AFL is planning to proceed with Round 1 fixtures from Thursday night with games to be played in empty stadiums until further notice.

AFLW games are also being contested behind closed doors with only “essential” staff and officials present.

Brisbane is due to play Hawthorn at the MCG this Sunday with the Lions’ first home game at the Gabba scheduled for Saturday, March 28 when they will host North Melbourne in an AFL/AFLW double-header.

In a letter to Brisbane members, Swann — who has also served as Collingwood and Carlton chief executive as well as being part of the Fitzroy administration — said “to call these challenging times would be an understatement’’.

“In my 25 years working in football I can’t recall a time where the clubs and code have been challenged quite like this,’’ Swann said.

“We, like everyone else across the world, don’t yet know the full extent of the situation we will all need to face and work through together.

“While the directive from the AFL and government is that it is not possible for our supporters to attend games for the foreseeable future, we intend to work to find ways to give [members] access to the team and club … albeit through very different channels.

“We understand and share your disappointment that the 2020 season we had all been eagerly anticipating is going to now look quite different. However we intend to follow government and expert advice.’’