What game is the AFLNT playing with its virtual medals presentation?
IS AFLNT’s decision to hold its annual Nichols and Gwynne medals ceremony online rather than in-person a health or financial decision?
It’s been a strong talking point among football circles ever since the Territory’s peak body went public on February 24 that it was going to hold the event in cyberspace to “protect the health and safety of the footy community” due to the “ongoing threat” of Covid.
However, the decision has been a difficult one to digest by some sections of the football community, with that threat seemingly on the decline as
Covid case numbers drop and restrictions are removed.
A PINT Women’s Premier League player on Friday at my local gym confessed she was bamboozled by the decision and wondered if it was a case of the league trying to save a few pennies.
Another well-known sports fan who has watched NTFL footy for decades, but wanted to remain anonymous, called the decision a “total embarrassment” and the league should have had contingency plans in place in the event of Covid restrictions easing.
For instance, the indoor mask mandate for pubs and venues was removed recently, making the running of indoor events less stressful for organisers.
AFLNT boss Sam Gibson said in February that the decision was to “minimise the health risk” to players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and supporters, and their safety remained “our highest priority”.
However, other footballers I have spoken to are wondering how this is relevant when clubs are holding their own presentations in-person.
Southern Districts revealed on February 25 – the day after the AFLNT’s announcement – its senior awards show was already a sellout.
I’m no event organiser but it doesn’t feel like ensuring social distancing and Covid-safe practices at the league’s individual night of nights would be too difficult to police compared with other football-related activities.
Surely it would be a far less risk than, say, squeezing scores of supporters into a grandstand at TIO Stadium, or players and support staff into cramped changerooms.
In the AFLNT’s defence, it’s one, albeit heavy-handed, way of protecting the integrity of the grand final, ensuring a “smooth run” up to Saturday’s showpiece with fewer infected players.
However, the risk of catching Covid is always there – as seen by a St Mary’s player missing the first-semi final against Wanderers – regardless of whether the Nichols and Gwynne ceremonies are held in-person or not.