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Bumper crowd of 60,000 for western derby in doubt after Mark McGowan reveals Phase 5 is ‘under review’

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Chris RobinsonThe West Australian
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A bumper crowd of 60,000 for this month’s western derby clash between Fremantle and West Coast is under a cloud after WA Premier Mark McGowan revealed the state’s plan to introduce Phase 5 was under review.

Optus Stadium had been given the green light to host a capacity crowd for the July 19 blockbuster, which is scheduled a day after WA’s Phase 5 allows attendance at the venue to swell from 30,000 to 60,000 fans.

But the past week of increased COVID-19 cases in Victoria, including 127 new cases overnight, has caused a potential re-think of the plan announced on June 21.

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Speaking this afternoon, Mr McGowan said a decision on the status of Phase 5 was expected to be confirmed in the next week.

“We always said with Phase 5 that we would continually review that based on health advice and that review is currently ongoing,” he said.

“We will make a final decision on that in the course of the current week - if we go to Phase 5 on July 18 or whether or not we delay that beyond that date.

“We don’t have any evidence of community spread in WA.

“The Victoria situation means we are currently reviewing whether or not to go to Phase 5 on July 18 and we’ll make a decision on that in the coming week.”

Western Derby, Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium.
Camera IconWestern Derby, Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The Sunday Times

Tickets for the sole derby of the season, a Fremantle home game, went on sale this morning for Dockers members through a priority pre-sale.

The game will mark the return of both WA clubs to their home stadium following their month-long stint in Gold Coast’s hub set-up.

Collingwood and Geelong are due to clash at Optus Stadium three days prior to the derby on July 16 for a Thursday night fixture that will have the 30,000 crowd limit in accordance with Phase 4.

More to come

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