THE Western Bulldogs have been hit with a second cancelled AFLW game in as many weeks due to COVID-19.
Two Pride Round games will not proceed as planned this weekend as three clubs deal with players in the league’s health and safety protocols.
The Q Clash between the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast has been called off, as has the Bulldogs’ planned meeting with Carlton.
The AFL has now scheduled the Lions to play the Blues at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday night after the teams were originally slated to face each other in Round 2, but the Suns and the Bulldogs remain in limbo.
It comes after the Bulldogs’ Round 2 game against Geelong was also called off.
“While COVID-19 continues to impact the competition, the health and welfare of those in our game and the wider community remains the priority,” AFL competition manager Laura Kane said.
“The league received requests from three clubs which detailed multiple players from each respective club’s AFLW program had entered into AFL Health and Safety Protocols.
“For the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns, we will work closely with both those teams on fixturing arrangements as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
“We know how much the Pride Game and the Q Clash mean to football fans and the wider community, and we share in the disappointment of those teams and their supporters.
“We look forward to still celebrating Pride Round across all matches in round three.”
The Bulldogs lost their season-opener against Melbourne by 24 points on January 8, but have not played since.
Bulldogs women’s football boss Debbie Lee said the club had been placed in an unfortunate position due to COVID-19 and were unable to field a team.
“It’s been a difficult process for us to undertake this week, knowing how much the Pride Game means not only to our players, staff and the club as a whole but to so many people who’ve been so strong in supporting this special event,” Lee said.
(C) AAP 2022
