BUBBLE SET TO BURST FOR STARS

PREMIERSHIP players will be free to mingle with members of the Queensland public as soon as the final siren sounds on Saturday night, escaping more than seven months of hard line AFL hub protocols.

Richmond and Geelong have been prohibited from entering bars, pubs and restaurants since March.

Both clubs have had to follow strict guidelines since the season started and celebrated their 100th day in hubs last week.

But the league confirmed its Queensland bubble would pop as soon as the season ends about 10pm on Saturday.

The AFL is remaining firm on a 30,000 capacity crowd for this weekend’s Grand Final, despite calls for it to be increased.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan met with Queensland health authorities at the weekend and it was agreed to maintain the

COVID cap. “We’ve done a bit of gentle pushing but we are here because we’ve respected the decisions of the Chief Health Officer and the ( Queensland) government,” McLachlan said.

“The atmosphere at the Gabba was electric on Saturday night – it felt full.

“It’ll be an unbelievable atmosphere and we’re very pleased to be here.”

Victoria chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton warned footy fans against hosting underground barbecues or grand final parties in Melbourne this weekend.

“It does present a risk if people are not following the advice that we have given all along that we are not at a point where we can have indoor gatherings with close friends or extended family,” he said on Monday.

“If we were at that point where we thought we could recommend those indoor household gatherings we would be saying that. It is not quite there yet.”