COLLINGWOOD captain Scott Pendlebury has reportedly been tested for the coronavirus and cleared after being put in quarantine away from his teammates.
The 32-year-old star appeared at the AFL’s annual captains’ day last Tuesday and later missed two training sessions, including one on Monday.
The Magpies have not yet addressed the reports publicly and it remains to be seen whether Pendlebury will play in their season opener against Western Bulldogs on Friday night.
A positive test by any player or club official for COVID-19 could have huge ramifications for the AFL.
As of Monday afternoon, the league remains poised to hold fixtures in front of empty grandstands this week.
But a series of meetings between major stakeholders – including the league, clubs, government and health authorities – will continue throughout the day and the situation could change at any moment.
The AFL Players Association has briefed club delegates and will invite feedback from all players via a Monday evening teleconference.
It comes as Richmond and Carlton continue disjointed preparations for Thursday night’s AFL season opener, with AFLW matches also set to be played as scheduled this week.
But the VFL is set to be suspended for the foreseeable future in a move that follows the Tigers’ decision to put their VFL program on hold.
Richmond could unfurl their 2019 premiership flag in front of empty stands at the cavernous MCG, which has been filled with more than 85,000 spectators for the last two season openers.
© AAP 2020
