11 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Surely there will be no international cricket this summer so what would keep them off? Big bash and Sheffield shield? How many days would that impact over the summer?

I still think it's narrow-minded of the AFL to want to push ahead at all costs but I get why they're doing it. I wonder what the impact will be on 2021 if games are played until Nov/Dec - 2021 preseason will be drastically altered

 

The 2021 season as a whole will be radically altered if games in 2020 go deep into November/December. I can’t imagine a 22 week season in 2021 after 2020 and that’s not even taking into account Covid still being around. 

41 minutes ago, Demonland said:

The 2021 season as a whole will be radically altered if games in 2020 go deep into November/December. I can’t imagine a 22 week season in 2021 after 2020 and that’s not even taking into account Covid still being around. 

Actually, I can. Just think of the delayed finish to 2020 as a replacement for the 2021 pre-season and dump the pre-season competition formally known (for a short while) as JLT. 

While I fully expect a whole raft of significant changes to the administration of football with perhaps some changes to the way the game is played (such as numbers on the bench or even on the field), one thing that I suspect the AFL will want to retain is the 22 week competition. In my view, it's not just about the needing to satisfy its media rights deal but also about convincing the community the product is the same. And will also stop encroachment of other sports and recrational activities into the AFL's winter window. 

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

 

From the above article:

'It was initially believed the MCG wasn’t suitable as a quarantine hub, where teams would base themselves in a clean environment for an as-necessary period of time to play multiple games against fellow quarantined sides.

But it’s now thought to be more likely. Victoria’s 10 teams and club officials could all be housed across the Pullman and Mantra on Jolimont hotels, with their combined capacity of 620 rooms.'

I hope when they announce it they thank binman

15 minutes ago, binman said:

But it’s now thought to be more likely. Victoria’s 10 teams and club officials could all be housed across the Pullman and Mantra on Jolimont hotels, with their combined capacity of 620 rooms

A hotel full of 600 footy players the bulk of whom are under 25 for a couple of months... what could possibly go wrong.

It's the AFL version of battery hens

Imagine if you were a fringe player not getting a game

Edited April 22, 20205 yr by Diamond_Jim

55 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

A hotel full of 600 footy players the bulk of whom are under 25 for a couple of months... what could possibly go wrong.

It's the AFL version of battery hens

Imagine if you were a fringe player not getting a game

This is getting silly now

600+ players all in the one hotel complex 

Right, yes of course...

10 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

This is getting silly now

600+ players all in the one hotel complex 

Right, yes of course...

In their defence it's two hotels but it is a little silly.

I had assumed the players would continue to live at home while based in Melbourne

27 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

This is getting silly now

600+ players all in the one hotel complex 

Right, yes of course...

Imagine the mini bar bill in Lachie hunters room? 

 

 

Too soon? 

22 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

In their defence it's two hotels but it is a little silly.

I had assumed the players would continue to live at home while based in Melbourne

Yes and that is silly too

21 minutes ago, GCDee said:

Imagine the mini bar bill in Lachie hunters room? 

 

 

Too soon? 

Too soon...

2 hours ago, GCDee said:

Imagine the mini bar bill in Lachie hunters room? 

 

 

Too soon? 

Padlock on it?

7 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

So,  is the AFL going to buy the Hilton.?

NRL confirmed to return 28 May.

Surely AFL to return not long after unless the AFL is happy for the NRL to take the limelight for 6-8 weeks.

12 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

NRL confirmed to return 28 May.

Surely AFL to return not long after unless the AFL is happy for the NRL to take the limelight for 6-8 weeks.

To me it feels like the NRL are rushing things because they have to, they are really desperate to get things going as quickly as possible whereas the AFL does have a little bit more of a luxury to do things "right".

Did I hear correctly that NRL has lost its tv deal? Or is that a furphy. If true, what's the point with no crowds as well?

52 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Did I hear correctly that NRL has lost its tv deal? Or is that a furphy. If true, what's the point with no crowds as well?

no .....they had an argument with Channel 9 where Nine called the NRL management incompetent.

Nine did say they wanted to talk about what was paid for the compromised season

https://www.zerotackle.com/channel-9-blasts-nrl-for-mismanagement-of-the-code-in-explosive-statement-54039/

Edited April 22, 20205 yr by Diamond_Jim

The AFL plan involves players being tested twice a week and once on match day.

Okay by me assuming tests are freely available for other industries, teachers and in particular emergency workers right down to cleaner level.To do that level of testing when not widespread across the community would be a PR disaster like wearing masks on a plane when none were available at  a hospital as happened in round one.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-teams-could-play-on-in-hubs-even-if-player-tests-positive-20200422-p54m5n.html

 

14 hours ago, Demonland said:

The 2021 season as a whole will be radically altered if games in 2020 go deep into November/December. I can’t imagine a 22 week season in 2021 after 2020 and that’s not even taking into account Covid still being around. 

The AFL will not forego games in 2021 if they can help it especially considering the financial hit they're getting now. They will want a full season in 2021 even if it comes at the expense of a heavily reduced preseason.

 

 

 

 

16 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

NRL confirmed to return 28 May.

Surely AFL to return not long after unless the AFL is happy for the NRL to take the limelight for 6-8 weeks.

The word "confirmed" is being used loosely. I think the NRL has "confirmed" that it is still its intention to commence 28 May but the NRL's plans still need to be signed off by relevant Government authorities and probably others, such as broadcasters, players, venues, etc. There is also the small matter of working out how to get the NZ team here. That problem in itself may delay the start of the NRL season to mid-June. 

4 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

The word "confirmed" is being used loosely. I think the NRL has "confirmed" that it is still its intention to commence 28 May but the NRL's plans still need to be signed off by relevant Government authorities and probably others, such as broadcasters, players, venues, etc. There is also the small matter of working out how to get the NZ team here. That problem in itself may delay the start of the NRL season to mid-June. 

They are so desperate for money they will ditch NZ if necessary. In reality I expect the Governments will make an exception for them and allow them in through a special quarantine process (think horses at Sandown).

The more one considers how sports are anxious to start again so as to protect their revenues the grubbier the image of those sports become. The noble idea of providing entertainment to the masses is as we all know a smokescreen when there are so many other areas of public entertainment that are haemorrhaging.