Hundreds of AFL players could flood into Queensland to keep them safe from coronavirus as WAGS of Victorian stars beg to be let in to live with their footy star partners
- All ten Victorian clubs will spend at least 32 days interstate due to coronavirus
- WAGS looking to move interstate to be with their partners during the AFL season
- Queensland might host all AFL clubs if the coronavirus situation in NSW
- Queensland Premier in talks with AFL CEO to move more players and officials
AFL players and officials are set to flood into Queensland as the code looks to move all clubs up north for two months to protect them from the coronavirus.
Desperate wives and girlfriends are already begging to join their partners in the hub, after Victorian teams flew out in early July.
The AFL is trying to seek exemptions for wives and girlfriends of all Victorian players to quarantine in the Gold Coast hub.
They would be required to self-isolate for two weeks, most likely in Southport, before joining the players.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed on Wednesday that the AFL had approached her to move all teams and officials to the state, which has just four active coronavirus cases.
A Virgin Australia hostess greets Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin's young daughters as they board their flight headed for Queensland's Sunshine Coast from Melbourne on Monday (pictured)
Richmond player Trent Cotchin is seen with his family after arriving at the Gold Coast Airport on Monday (pictured) with his family
'I spoke to AFL CEO Gilllon McLachlan and he is looking to book accommodation for hundreds of players and officials at Queensland hotels for two months,' she said.
'I stress none of these measures can happen without strict quarantine protocols and the COVID management plan that has allowed the AFL season to proceed.
'This is another way Queensland is helping Victoria.
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'As everyone knows, AFL is more than a sport to Victorians. We know how they feel.'
She said negotiations are continuing as well as receiving advice from the chief medical health officer.
Ms Palaszczuk also said that if the season is to be played in Queensland, then so should the coveted Grand Final.
Western Bulldogs player Josh Bruce (pictured, right) and his wife Pip (left) and daughter Poppy are seen arriving at the Gold Coast Airport on July 6
Sam Weideman (pictured, kissing his partner goodbye) of the Demons is seen preparing to board a flight from Melbourne Airport on July 5
All ten Victorian clubs will spend at least 32 days interstate as their home state battles a second wave of the killer virus.
However, the push to bring families to Queensland indicates that the players may remain interstate for longer than the initial 32 days.
Some chose not to accompany their partners under the impression that the hub would be for a short term period, or due to work commitments.
The AFL is also in discussion with the Players Association to sort out fixtures and when games were played, Brisbane Times reported.
Mr McLachlan said the plan was for Victorian teams to return home after living away during a stretch of 45 games in 32 days, but that could change.
Western Bulldogs player Mitch Wallis and his wife Emily and daughter Charlotte are seen arriving at the Gold Coast Airport on July 6 (pictured)
Some WAGS chose not to travel with their partners due to work commitments (pictured, St Kilda player Josh Bruce and his partner Pip Marques in Melbourne in September 2015)
'The Victorian clubs now temporarily moving interstate are playing their part in ensuring our season endures in a year that will continue to challenge us all,' he said.
'We will reassess our options depending on the COVID-19 situation across the country.
'Everyone has to shoulder the load and bear the pain ... we will work to make sure that by the end of the year it is as equitable as it can be,' he said.
Perth is also hosting some AFL clubs with the Geelong Cats and Collingwood Magpies arriving there from Sydney on July 5.
Both teams will remain in the hub for the next three weeks to continue playing in this year's AFL season.
Richmond player Trent Cotchin is seen carrying his daughter when he arrived at Gold Coast Airport on Monday
Cam McCarthy (pictured) shares a moment with his puppy prior to Fremantle Dockers AFL players departing for the Gold Coast on June 9
Several players were also joined by their partners and children in the Perth quarantine hub.
Collingwood Magpies player Chris Mayne was pictured spending time with daughter Billi-Rose and wife Britt after touching down.
Mayne cuddled and planted a kiss on his daughter's head as she played with his face mask.
The Hawthorn Hawks and Melbourne Demons are safe in Sydney while St Kilda and Carlton headed north to Noosa and the Gold Coast respectively.
Melbourne Demons and Geelong Cats players left on July 6 bound for Sydney, and were seen kissing and hugging loved ones.
Bulldogs star Josh Bruce (pictured) played doting dad to daughter Poppy as they boarded the plane to the Gold Coast on July 6
North Melbourne player Shaun Higgins (pictured) gives his daughter Rosie a piggyback after touching down on the Gold Coast on July 6
Demons players Alex Neal-Bullen and Sam Weideman were among those spotted at Melbourne Airport in romantic farewells.
Several Melbourne-based teams also flew out on Monday, including reigning premiers Richmond Tigers, Essendon Bombers, Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne Kangaroos.
The Essendon and North Melbourne squads touched down on the Gold Coast on Monday afternoon.
It comes as the NRL also considers moving all their clubs up north as clusters the situation in New South Wales remains unclear due to recent outbreaks.
Ms Paraszczuk also announced that Campbelltown and Liverpool are considered hotspots and anyone from those areas would not be allowed to enter the state.
North Melbourne player Jed Anderson (pictured) was tasked with holding precious cargo in the form of sleeping baby daughter Katerinah as he made he way through Gold Coast Airport
Victorian AFL Clubs Geelong Cats and Collingwood Magpies flew in to Perth Airport on Saturday (pictured, Collingwood Magpies player Chris Mayne with daughter and wife)
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