Australian sport has failed to outpace the latest coronavirus travel restrictions, with the AFL set to announce that the season will shut down after Sunday night’s West Coats versus Melbourne clash.
The AFL, NRL and A-League have continued to play this past week, having put players into isolation and locking out crowds.
AFL chief executive will hold a live media conference at half-time of the Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions clash at the MCG, with the league’s broadcaster Channel Seven confirming football would not continue next week.
All competitions faced an uphill battle to stay onfield after the federal government announced new travel bands and some state government’s moved to shut borders.
Earlier, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was asked specifically about the continuation of AFL and NRL seasons, and pledged to work with the codes on new health and safety arrangements that might need to be put in place.
But South Australian Premier Steven Marshall announced on Sunday that any visitors to his state would be subjected to a 14-day self-isolation period.
That restriction comes into force on Tuesday, meaning teams travelling to play Adelaide or Port Adelaide would face difficulties.
The continuing intrigue over the football codes comes after Cricket Australia moved early to shut down its ODI series, the domestic basketball season was wound up early and the Australian Grand Prix was called off.
Sunday’s developments come after it emerged on Saturday that a Collingwood employee had tested positive for COVID-19.
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The AFL announced the premiership season would continue as the unnamed male employee has been in isolation since returning from his overseas trip.
“The staff member who returned from overseas had no contact with anyone at the club,” an AFL spokesperson said in a statement released to AAP.
“The person continues to be isolated until fit to return to work.”
The league has said that the season will be shut down for 30 days in the event of a positive test, but it remains unclear exactly who would need to contract the virus for that to happen.
-with AAP
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