Pies, Cats set to head to Perth hub
Collingwood and Geelong are expected to be the first clubs to head to a Perth hub for three weeks, playing one another in quarantine and then both WA clubs in front of packed Optus Stadium.
The Victorian clubs are expected to be in WA from July 11-August 2. It is unclear whether they will play round six in WA or Victoria.
The Magpies are set to be one of the first teams to head to the WA hub.Credit:AAP
West Coast and Fremantle will remain in Queensland for round six, then return to Perth for round seven with the intention of playing a derby as the first game at the stadium this year with a full crowd.
The AFL is eager to capitalise on crowds at the stadium, with big clubs among the first to play in Perth, and is expected to later on Thursday confirm Collingwood and Geelong will be the first teams to make the trip to the hub.
The AFL has been in close discussions with the WA government about whether clubs would be allowed to play one another while in quarantine.
If approval is given Collingwood and Geelong would be able to play one another in front of a crowd at Optus Stadium in round seven.
West Coast are likely to play Adelaide in round six, but it not yet known who Fremantle's round six opponent will be.
Two more clubs would replace Collingwood and Geelong after that three-week period and potentially another two clubs after that. There is a chance one of the Sydney teams could be in the next group to be sent to the western hub.
It will become increasingly complex the longer the season goes to find clubs that have not played each other, or either of the WA teams, to be sent to the hub.
Melbourne, Richmond and Essendon have each already played one of the two WA teams and Essendon and Melbourne were due to play one another last Sunday before it was postponed due to Conor McKenna's positive test for COVID-19.
The two Queensland teams will not have to leave the eastern seaboard for games given both have now already played the four teams from SA and WA.
The AFL is also in discussions once more with the NT and Tasmanian governments, where the AFL is already contracted to play matches, about the quarantine and border restrictions there and the possibilities around hosting more teams and more games.