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Sydney Swans, GWS Giants headed for Melbourne AFL bubble amid growing Sydney COVID outbreak

Shayne HopeAAP
VideoAFL: The Herald Sun's Jon Ralph reports on the most likely crowd numbers to be seen at games in Victoria over the coming weeks.

AFL clubs GWS and Sydney will temporarily move players and football staff to Victoria amid concerns over possible border closures because of COVID-19 cases in NSW.

The Giants and Swans parties are heading south on Tuesday night in a bid to ensure they are able to play their respective matches in round 15.

Sunday’s clash between GWS and Hawthorn could be relocated to Melbourne, with the MCG free that day.

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Sydney are due to take on Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday and are hopeful of flying in and out of South Australia on the same day, as Collingwood and Geelong did earlier this month.

The Game AFL 2024

The NSW clubs’ temporary relocation comes as the AFL awaits a call on crowd limits at matches in Melbourne this weekend.

The league had lobbied the Victorian state government for a 50 per cent crowd capacity at the MCG and Marvel Stadium, with a decision looming on Wednesday.

Friday night’s Richmond-St Kilda match at the MCG is likely to be the first fixture in Melbourne played in front of spectators since May 23.

The return of crowds at some level will at least mean matches are not moved away from Melbourne for a fourth consecutive week.

The MCG will host Essendon-Melbourne on Saturday night, with Marvel Stadium hosting Collingwood-Fremantle (Saturday) and Carlton-Adelaide (Sunday).

The AFL informed GWS and Sydney on Tuesday afternoon they would be required to get on the move within hours and send travelling parties to Melbourne.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sydney coach John Longmire said clubs are now used to “unpredictability” when it comes to the fixture, restrictions and temporary relocations this season.

John Longmire.
Camera IconSydney coach John Longmire says it is up to AFL clubs to adapt to 11th hour fixture rescheduling Credit: AAP

“We got a fairly good go at that last year and this year again,” Longmire said.

“It’s just part and parcel of what sport is and what the community is at the moment.

“You’ve just got to adapt no matter what’s going on and things change pretty quickly.”

Giants defender Phil Davis said players are willing to do what they can to ensure the season continues.

“As players we’re just a small cog in a big machine and if we don’t do that, we’re letting the whole machine go down,” Davis said.

“We’re fundamentally a competition for the fans and if we don’t make the right decisions, everyone suffers - from the fans, junior level, suburban football.

“We’ve got an obligation to do our part to make sure the game rolls on and the money stays in the game.

“Really important we keep the game spinning.”

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