In good news for footy, the Queensland Government announced yesterday that the ban on community sport in Southeast Queensland will be lifted at 4pm, Friday 20th August.
On Wednesday night, AFL Queensland held a series of meetings with club representatives from each of its senior competitions to understand their views on the feasibility of scheduling any games this weekend, given the short notice of the community sport ban lifting early.
Overwhelmingly, the majority of clubs felt the risk for players having had no contact with their clubs or formalised club training over the past month due to lockdown and restrictions far outweighed any other reasons as to why games should be played this weekend. Whilst there were some clubs that felt their groups were well equipped and willing to play this weekend, they also acknowledged the player welfare concerns their fellow clubs raised.
After assessing every competition based on its individual feedback, AFL Queensland has determined that no senior games will be played in Southeast Queensland this weekend. With restrictions easing from 4pm tomorrow, those clubs that have advanced to the finals series are now well-positioned to have a minimum seven-day preparation period before entering the first match of their respective finals.
AFL Queensland not only thanks all clubs for making themselves available at such notice to discuss the feasibility of playing this weekend but applauds their prioritisation of player welfare above all other factors.
At this stage, no changes will be made to the revised finals series fixtures.
As always, we continue to be guided by the direction of the Queensland Government.
