WA not family-friendly for Magpies, Cats
GEELONG and Collingwood face stricter lockdown provisions than clubs housed on the Gold Coast, which might make housing families in Perth hotels a challenge.
But clubs have set up working parties that will meet twice a week until they leave for Perth to try to gain the most flexibility possible for players.
Geelong and Collingwood are excited at the prospect of entering hubs.
While the Western Australian and South Australian teams have the run of golf resorts on the Gold Coast, Victorian players face a more substantial lockdown period of 14 days.
They will likely have to spend long periods of time in their hotel rooms, which might make it harder for families with children.
Families would not be banned from attending, but only a handful at most would be likely to take up the chance given the restrictions.
The view of the AFL is that the players will be going over for 14-day quarantine to get a job done for their teams in difficult circumstances.
The AFL and clubs are working with the WA Government on permission for players to have more freedom in their hotels.
This would include access to a common area, pools and even an outside area for players.
Geelong and Collingwood will be in separate hotels and on separate flights to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, so have different working parties.
Teams in Queensland have been able to play golf and leave their hubs to surf or go to cafes for takeaway coffees, but there will be no exemptions for those activities in Perth hubs.