Two more rounds to be posted
THE AFL will release two more rounds of its fixture as early as Monday week with the July 20 release of South Australia’s borders giving the league more flexibility for flyin fly-out football.
But despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s declaration crowds of up to 10,000 will be allowed at some AFL venues next month there is no prospect of a quick return for fans at Victorian venues.
The AFL continues to deal with fixturing challenges that includes a closed WA border and has several models for hubs in Perth if those restrictions are not eased.
With South Australia’s border to open on July 20, Port Adelaide and Adelaide could play fly-in fly-out football from Round 8.
It would mean the AFL could keep them in the Gold Coast hub for two more weeks past the current fixture block or bring them to a Melbourne hub, then return them to Adelaide Oval games from Round 8 onwards.
The continuing complications mean the league’s hope of releasing another fixturing block of up to four weeks by Round 3 will instead be replaced by two more weeks.
AFL head of broadcasting and scheduling Marcus King said this week the league would release that fixture on June 22.
But the AFL said yesterday it could still be delayed until mid-week.
June 22 is the date Victoria is set to ease restrictions again, but that will not involve permission for venues including the MCG or Docklands Stadium to host crowds.
Morrison handed permission for stadiums under 40,000 capacity to have 10,000 fans socially distanced, but all authority for crowds at Victorian venues is up to the state government.
Victorian sports minister Martin Pakula said this week fans should not expect crowds back in this four-week fixturing block. It is understood Mr Morrison’s statement does not alter that timeline in any way.
“Having spoken to the MCG, having spoken to the AFL, there’s not a huge amount of utility in having 500 people at the football, quite frankly,” Pakula said.
“It’s probably more likely that there will be a larger number of people let in at a later date. I think something in the vicinity of 10,000 to 20,000, that is worthwhile. We’ve got a fixture block now that’s running for the next four rounds, I wouldn’t expect [fans] for that fixture block.”
Mr Morrison said he expected by July venues with over 40,000 capacity would also be able to open after consultation with state authorities.