AFL looks at locking out fans

Covid-19 test follows friend’s China visit

THE AFL is preparing to play matches in empty stadiums for the first time in its 124-season history if the federal and state governments ban public gatherings due to the coronavirus.

But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan remains hopeful its Round 1 season fixture – which kicks off tomorrow week when Richmond take on Carlton before a packed house at the MCG – would go ahead as planned.

McLachlan, AFL chairman Richard Goyder and the Commission met the 18 clubs yesterday to discuss the likely contingencies of what could happen in the coming months as the spread of coronavirus intensifies in Australia.

He stressed the safety of the competition’s players, its staff and its millions of fans was its “No.1 priority’’ but stressed the game was well placed to overcome the unprecedented obstacles it will be confronted with in 2020.

“The Victorian Government has signalled that it is likely large public gatherings will be impacted at some stage in the future and it is prudent that we are prepared and planned,’’ McLachlan said.

“We have taken the step of forming a working group to coordinate any response and provide protocols to clubs.”

THE Fremantle Dockers were breathing a sigh of relief yesterday after one of their players was tested for coronavirus but given the all-clear.

The player, who was not named by the club but was identified in reports as Sam Switkowski, was tested on Monday after suffering from flu-like symptoms.

It came after he had contact with a friend who had been in China earlier this year.

According to the player, after returning to Australia his friend underwent a 14-day isolation period during which he suffered no flu-like symptoms.

The friend then travelled to Perth to visit the Fremantle player.

The Dockers received good news yesterday when the player’s test result showed negative for the coronavirus.

“Given the club’s position in the community, we made a decision on Monday afternoon to take a very conservative approach even though the player did not fit all the WA Health Department criteria for Covid-19 testing,” Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick said.

“We understand the high level of interest surrounding one of our players being sent for precautionary testing for

Covid-19. The facts are that the player presented with flu-like symptoms after being in contact with a friend who had visited China, even though that person had self-isolated for 14 days following his return to the country and hadn’t displayed any symptoms of the virus.

“It was another two weeks after the isolation period that the friend visited the player late last month. We felt it was important to be proactive and diligent to ensure the safety of our players, staff and broader community.”

Dockers captain Nat Fyfe said he expected the scare to be the start of something much bigger in 2020.

“At the moment it (the virus) is in its infancy and it’s just starting to affect people,” he said.

“We’re remaining calm, stepping through the protocol, and the doctors have told us not to stress too much.”