AFL season to be reduced
Coronavirus forces drastic decision by league
THE AFL has cut its season from 23 rounds to 17 but doubts remain over tomorrow night’s opening game as players reportedly weigh-up a potential pay cut.
All 18 teams will play each other once in the coronavirus affected program, with the first four rounds of games to run as scheduled before a new draw is created for the rest of the competition.
A decision on whether
Richmond and Carlton’s season-opener goes ahead behind closed doors will be announced today, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said.
The finals series could be pushed back into October in order to complete the season.
One roadblock in that scenario for the AFL is that the men’s Twenty20 World Cup cricket tournament is due to start at major grounds across Australia on October 18.
“If (the season’s) done by the end of September, fabulous – but if we need more time we’ll do that,” McLachlan said.
“We’ve got 40 weeks to get a 17-week season away until the end of 2020 ... and we’ll use every one of those weekends.
“We have flexibility now with a 17-round season, that buys more time.”
McLachlan said if one player tested positive for COVID-19 then the AFL will shut down completely for at least 14 days, possibly longer.
It comes as Collingwood confirmed their captain Scott Pendlebury was being tested for coronavirus after presenting with cold-like symptoms last week. Results for the star midfielder’s test are expected today.
The AFL Players Association held phone briefings with AFL and AFLW players last night to gauge their feelings on the evolving situation.
“From there, we’ll feel informed about where the players sit and hopefully they’ll feel informed about what’s going on,” the association’s chief executive Paul Marsh said.
Players are reportedly weighing up taking a 20 per cent pay cut to help the league through the crisis, with clubs bracing for significant financial losses.
State leagues as well as their associated women’s competitions have been postponed until at least May 31.