AFLW season in turmoil as teams thrown into isolation
The AFLW season has been thrown into disarray and ticket sales for round two put on hold after players and staff from both Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney began two weeks of isolation in Adelaide after arriving back from Perth on Sunday night.
Both the Crows and Giants played matches in Western Australia on the weekend in round one and flew back together on Sunday night just before WA entered its five-day lockdown following the positive coronavirus case in the state.
Giants players leave the field after losing to Fremantle on Sunday.Credit:Getty
While Adelaide and GWS players managed to flee WA, they have been forced into mandatory self-quarantine in accordance with South Australian government guidelines for those returning from WA.
This includes Crows AFL star Tom Lynch, who is an assistant coach with the women’s team and also travelled to Perth.
The Giants were hopeful of being let back into Sydney on Monday. Adelaide have been contacted for comment.
The Crows and Giants were both set to play in Adelaide this weekend, against West Coast and Fremantle respectively. But even leaving the isolation situation to one side, there are serious doubts as to whether the Eagles and Dockers would be able to travel to South Australia for the games.
The Giants had already been in South Australia after leaving Sydney a month ago in the wake of Sydney’s COVID-19 outbreak.
The AFL re-drew its AFLW fixture ahead of round one, with no matches scheduled beyond round two. The league announced on Monday morning that ticket sales for round two had been delayed amid the prospect of further fixture changes.
The WA restrictions are also wreaking havoc with the West Coast and Fremantle men’s teams, with both unable to organise group training sessions for at least this week because of the lockdown.
Daniel is an Age sports reporter
Sam McClure is a sport reporter for The Age and winner of 'best news reporter' at the AFL Media Association awards.