BOMBERS IN LIMBO

Backline faces quarantine lockdown

ESSENDON could be forced to face Carlton without its entire backline as the AFL braces for multiple Bombers to be ordered into quarantine.

But the league is seriously considering moving the Friday night blockbuster in Round 5 between Essendon and Collingwood to later in the weekend so returning Bombers can play after serving their 14 days in isolation.

The entire Essendon backline conducted an indoor weights session with COVID-positive Bomber Conor McKenna on Friday after a full-contact session with the whole list. The AFL’s firm expectation is that it will not be only McKenna who is forced to quarantine, given how seriously the Victorian Government treats COVID health provisions.

The AFL’s view is that if Essendon failed to mitigate risks by training with its entire defence in the same group, the Dons cannot refuse to play if they have enough players to field a team.

It can be revealed the group including Cale Hooker, Adam Saad, Michael Hurley and Mason Redman also conducted a smallgroup training session before the full session with McKenna.

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said yesterday any player in “close contact” with McKenna would be quarantined for 14 days, with health authorities reviewing footage of McKenna at Friday’s full-contact session.

Players who test negative when the entire list undergoes COVID-19 testing tomorrow could still be quarantined for 14 days if they came into close contact with McKenna.

Close contact is defined as face-to-face contact for 15 minutes, or being in a confined space for two hours.

AFL legal counsel Andrew Dillon said yesterday Essendon must keep playing if it could field a team.

“The AFL rules are pretty clear,” Dillon said. “As long as we have 22 players and a couple of emergencies you are able to have a team. So as far as the AFL is concerned, if we have enough players to fill a team with a couple of emergencies, we are ready to go.”

Essendon yesterday confirmed reports that McKenna went to an open house to inspect a property after the lease on his rental property was close to expiring. McKenna also visited the host family that put him up when he moved to Melbourne from Ireland.

The league is yet to find out how he contracted the virus as Victorian health authorities conduct contract tracing and investigate any potential links to active cases.

The AFL will work through his potential penalty for COVID breaches after it finds out whether Essendon can field a side.

The AFL Players Association hosted a Zoom call last night with players, who fear the restrictions placed on them will be tightened in the wake of the positive test.

It was only last Monday that rules were relaxed to allow players to play golf, go fishing and surf.