Prime Minister Scott Morrison appears to have weighed in on a potential ‘no jab, no entry’ policy for AFL games.
Plus the Dockers are in quarantine as they prepare for a clash with the Tigers.
Get all the latest COVID-19 related AFL news in our live blog below.
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12PM – SCOTT BEMUSED AT ROOS TRAVEL PLANS
Geelong coach Chris Scott has labelled it “a bit strange” his side could travel with North Melbourne to Tasmania next week to play in Round 20.
Foxfooty.com.au senior reporter Tom Morris explains that there remains uncertainty over whether the Roos can host Geelong in Hobart as originally planned. The Roos remain confident but have received no official word.
If the AFL succeeds in establishing a sterile corridor across Bass Strait, the Roos and Cats could fly in and fly out on the same day and play in front of a crowd.
If not, the game would be in Victoria.
Speaking to media after his side’s win over Richmond, Scott said he was preparing to travel to Tasmania at this stage, but was bemused at the prospect.
“As far as we’re aware. It’s a bit strange that we’ve got two Victorian teams getting on a plane in this environment but that seems to be the program.”
Overnight – PM’S CALL ON NO JAB, NO ENTRY POLICY
Prime Minister Scott Morrison appears to have endorsed the idea of ‘vaccine passports’ being required at major sporting events in 2022.
Despite Australia’s bungled vaccine rollout so far, there remains an expectation all Australians would have had the chance to get vaccinated before the start of next season.
The Herald Sun reports that several AFL clubs are expecting proof of vaccination (or alternatively a negative test) to be required for entry into games next season.
Speaking via videolink on Sunday, Morrison appeared to give the idea his backing.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” he said in an address to the Queensland Liberal National Party State Council.
“If you’re vaccinated, you present a lesser risk to public health than those who are not vaccinated, who are at greater risk of serious disease and indeed fatality from Covid.
“For those who’ve taken the decision to get vaccinated, then there should be the ability for them to be less imposed upon in terms of the restrictions, because they’ve taken the decision to improve the public health position of the country.”
Pressed on radio last week whether the league was considering a ‘no vaccination, no entry’ rule for this year’s grand final, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan indicated it was not in his thinking.
“I think the first thing we’ve got to sort out is supply. Once we’ve got supply then I think we look at how we encourage everyone to get vaccinated because we need it for our economy and for our society to open up, it seems to be the only way,” he said on 3AW.
“I know different countries and regions are already adopting stuff like that, we haven’t considered it yet because we’re just not there yet. We’re clearly going to be encouraging everyone strongly to get vaccinated.”
Overnight – DOCKERS IN QUARANTINE AHEAD OF TIGER TUSSLE
Fremantle players and staff are reportedly quarantining at home for 14 days after arriving back from Queensland on Sunday night.
The Dockers were defeated by Sydney in Queensland yesterday and are now scheduled to face Richmond at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Richmond has already jetted across to Perth after its loss to Geelong at the MCG on Sunday, with the Tigers now undergoing hotel quarantine ahead of the match.
The West Australian reports that Dockers players who weren’t part of the Queensland travelling party have been given the option to play in the WAFL if they don’t want to face quarantine, which rules them out of this week’s AFL game.
Fremantle’s WAFL side faces South Fremantle in Mandurah on Saturday.
The Dockers are scheduled to face the Brisbane Lions in Perth in Round 21, but the fixture is yet to be confirmed as the league races to lock in Round 20.
