by topshelf » Thu May 14, 2020 9:39 pm
Found a copy of it on newsoz.org
The State Government’s refusal to relax its strict COVID-19 restrictions will almost certainly see local AFL clubs Adelaide and Port Adelaide relocated to an interstate quarantine hub, most likely in Queensland, and the Oval left vacant for use by the SANFL.
While the eight SANFL clubs – the Crows and Port have withdrawn from the competition this season through an AFL health and safety directive – want to play most of their games at their suburban venues, they have largely backed a plan to kickstart the season at world-class Adelaide Oval.
And the league, whose season is likely to start mid-to-late next month, is investigating the possibility of having as many as 7000 fans – the majority of who would be Adelaide Oval or club members – attend games.
The SANFL has submitted a proposal to SA Health and the Recreation and Sport Department asking advice about staging four league games in one day, or multiple matches over a weekend for safety and financial reasons.
The league also is understood to be in discussions about allowing members into games under strict social distancing rules where fans would be allocated seats away from other spectators.
“We are exploring all options to enable the SANFL competition to be played,’’ said league chief executive Jake Parkinson, who confirmed this week that there would be no salary cap this year and that players would play for only the JobKeeper payment.
“One of those options would be to play a number of games in succession, including a complete round, at Adelaide Oval to minimise costs by playing out of the one venue.’’
Glenelg president Peter Carey said the Oval loomed as the starting point for a revamped 14-round home-and-away SANFL season.
“From a revenue point of view, our club would love to have games and crowds at Glenelg Oval but that is unlikely to be possible until later in the year – and local grounds with no crowds is a problem,’’ Carey said.
“I understand there is an exercise being done where it might be possible early in the season to have as many as 7000 people into games at Adelaide Oval, with strict social distancing rules in place.
“If that was to be possible, it would be fantastic for the competition.’’
Under the radical plan, crowds could be ushered in at one end of the ground and out the other, with a 45-minute changeover between games.
The SANFL also is in talks with broadcaster Channel 7 about the coverage of its matches, including televising back-to-back games to a sports-starved public.
SANFL clubs will begin training in groups of 10 under strict hygiene protocols from Monday.
Last edited by
topshelf on Thu May 14, 2020 9:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.