SOME AFL players are in quarantine from the coronavirus as chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the competition will shut down for at least 30 days in the event of a positive test.
“We would certainly stand down for a minimum of 30 days,” McLachlan told 3AW radio on Friday.
“We need to make sure that our protocols are completely tight.”
McLachlan had previously said a positive test to a player would result in a 14-day closure of the competition.
He said no players had tested positive to the coronavirus.
“I know we have got players in quarantine,” he said.
“… I know there are no players or officials from tonight’s game that are pending tests.”
Western Bulldogs play Collingwood on Friday after Richmond defeated Carlton in the season-opener on Thursday night at an empty MCG.
“It’s just different,” McLachlan said of games without fans.
“Who knows how long we go for but I think people will get used to that … it was just great to see footy.
“Everyone is in such a terrible spot at the moment … (if) we get around the TV sets and get lost in it, hopefully for a few hours forget about the fact that people are losing jobs and people are crook and everything else.
“It’s not the only reason, clearly there’s others … we’re a game but not the main game.”
McLachlan also said players were unlikely to share water bottles, as they did during Thursday night’s opener.
“The first game, I think you will forgive everyone for being a bit habitual,” he said.
“We will get the protocols better and I think you will see changes tonight.”
© AAP 2020
