Collingwood, the AFL and the Virus.

[Rd10.1998_11.1#36]

[K]

NRL clubs consider charter flights to combat coronavirus

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-clubs-consider-charter-flights-to-combat-coronavirus-20200310-p548ri.html

"The Herald has spoken to several clubs that have revealed they are looking into the feasibility of booking chartered flights to minimise the risks of infection in the air and at airports. While the radical measure could increase costs, it is a price some clubs are considering paying in a bid to prevent a player - or entire team - from contracting the virus.

"You could save on accommodation costs if you can return home straight after the game on a chartered flight rather than staying the night,” one club boss said.
...

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews predicted large sporting and cultural events will soon be cancelled to stop the spread of the virus.

“We will need to ask Victorians to do things we have never asked them to do before,” Andrews said."

[Mr Miyagi]

Our club's considering compensation for fans if games are locked out. Meanwhile, the AFL's chief medical officer is jetting overseas for a holiday...

[K]

https://twitter.com/CollingwoodFC/status/1237626091675648001

[think positive]

[Rd10.1998_11.1#36]

[K]

AFL, clubs braced for hit if virus causes lockouts or cancellations

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-clubs-braced-for-hit-if-virus-causes-lockouts-or-cancellations-20200311-p5495s.html

"AFL sources said that it would be the clubs, rather than the AFL, that would be hit harder by crowd-less games, because the league had the broadcast earnings and huge sponsorship deals locked-in, while the lost gate receipts were the domain of clubs.

The AFL was ready to use the future fund – established with an initial $120 million from the broadcast rights deal – to shore up any losses from coronavirus fallout, though it is unclear whether clubs would be compensated.
...

Clubs have launched a host of precautionary measures to limit the exposure of their players to the virus, including exploring the possibility of chartering their own flights for games. A minimum party of 60, including players, was required to travel to a game according to one club.

Clubs have been told to cut discretionary spending in expectation of heavy financial losses in the game. The AFL has already begun their own cost-cutting program.

Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains said it was impossible to accurately estimate the cost of games being played in empty stadiums because there were so many variables between games, including which stadium it was played in and the size of the following of the opposition.

But Bains said a single round played in front of no crowd would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars."

[Rd10.1998_11.1#36]

[BazBoy]

I find the compensation to people who have already pre paid for games this year interesting

I have a friend who follows Ice Hockey in US and their season in already in progress and his club advised all tickets holders of full refund due to fans being not allowed——my mate has 3 tickets left

World wide in all sports ,not just AFL this must be a real issue

[Mr Miyagi]

[Rd10.1998_11.1#36]

^What we should do is look at the facts and react appropriately; not kneejerk reactions based on what's happening outside of Australia

[K]

Games lost to virus would be played in the bye rounds: AFL

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/games-lost-to-virus-would-be-played-in-the-bye-rounds-afl-20200312-p549kt.html

"The league also confirmed their willingness to play games with crowds in some states and not in others as health restrictions may differ between states.

The league's strong view is that in the that event games have to be cancelled, they will seek to find windows in which they can be rescheduled and the bye rounds are the most likely time frame for those games.
...

The Age has also confirmed one high profile player from a Melbourne club had been quarantined from his teammates on suspicion of having the virus. He was tested and cleared.
...

A practice game at Carlton’s home, Visy Park, between the Northern Blues and Frankston has been made a lock out, but Collingwood v North Melbourne at the Holden Centre will not be a lock out.
...

The AFL confirmed all umpires would train individually, mindful that if one umpire went down and the group was quarantined it would have a more dramatic effect on the competition than a player testing postive to the virus."

[Rd10.1998_11.1#36]

Visy Park?

[K]

McLaren out of GP after team member tests positive to virus

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/motorsport/mclaren-out-of-gp-after-team-member-tests-positive-to-virus-20200312-p549l2.html

[Raw Hammer]

With a delay to the season inevitable, at least we may be able to get Treloar and Adams up to full fitness. Hey, maybe even Greenwood will play round one!