CLUBS MIX ‘N’ MATCH TO CUT COVID-19 RISK
AFL: All AFL clubs are splitting their best players across different training groups of eight to avoid having them all put in isolation if one tests positive for coronavirus.
Players began training in groups of eight yesterday, before a return to whole group, full-contact training next Monday.
Clubs are being strategic in compiling their groups because if one player tests positive, the other seven will also have to self-isolate for 14 days.
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew said the Suns had put together groups with a mix of experience and different positions to avoid a scenario where the club’s best players, or for example all their defenders, would have to be put into quarantine.
“I think the theory behind it is if one group has to sit out for 14 days, obviously you don’t put all your best 22 in similar groups,” Dew told SEN radio yesterday.
“We’ve got a little bit of a mix, even to the point of a couple of inside (players) in one group, a couple in the other, speed in one, speed in the other – just in case.”
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick, however, said the Tigers had prioritised getting their team’s connection up and running as they strive for back-to-back flags.
“We’ve just backed in our system,” he told reporters at Punt Road.
“At the end of the day, we worry about what we can control so our backs are all together, our (midfielders) are all together.
“We’ve got great faith in our players with regard to the hygiene, the washing of hands, the social distancing they’ve been very well educated with that from our strength and conditioning and medical staff so we’re very confident they’ll be
OK.
“But ... our biggest, number one priority is getting our side playing together as quickly as we can in this three-week period.”