Suns AFLW in Covid-19 scare
FIVE GOLD Coast Suns AFLW players are in self-isolation until next week after testing positive to Covid-19, but the club and AFL are confident the Round 1 fixture in Mackay is not yet under threat.
It comes after a North Melbourne AFLW player returning from Christmas break tested positive and multiple members of the Brisbane Lions’ AFLW program were listed as potential close contacts.
Two days after it was revealed a Suns player had returned a positive PCR test taken on resumption of training on Monday, a further four members of the AFLW playing group have since been confirmed to have contracted Covid-19.
A Suns spokesman told News Corp the AFLW squad went into self-isolation on Tuesday following the first positive PCR test.
Every player then completed rapid antigen tests, which came back negative. However, a second wave of PCR tests on Wednesday had since revealed four more positive results.
In a statement released Friday the club confirmed the five positive cases, adding: “Each positive case is fully vaccinated and experiencing either mild or no symptoms at this stage.”
The spokesman said the five players were set to rejoin their teammates in training early next week, ahead of next Sunday’s season opener against Greater Western Sydney at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
“The remainder of the AFLW program will continue to prepare for the Round 1 fixture against the GWS Giants in Mackay on Sunday, January 9 with the game to proceed as planned,” the spokesman said.
“Subject to their continued progress through the required protocols, the five players will rejoin the AFLW program throughout next week.”