The AFL is expected to flip its Saturday fixture to turn Melbourne-Hawthorn into a prime time clash but still expects St Kilda-Port Adelaide to be played at Marvel Stadium.

The league is working through government protocols about isolation as it assesses whether the Power can still fly into Melbourne on Saturday.

The game is slated for 7.25pm but the Herald Sun understands it is likely to be turned into an earlier fixture in either the 1.45pm or 4.35pm slot.

It would allow St Kilda to fly into Adelaide and out on the same day, or the Power to fly into Melbourne and get out by the Saturday night Adelaide Airport curfew.

The league said on Friday it still expected the game to go ahead on Saturday at Marvel Stadium in front of no crowds.

But the Melbourne-Hawthorn game will be announced as the only night contest on Saturday.

Port Adelaide could fly into Melbourne for a 1.45pm clash but if St Kilda flew into Adelaide the league would need to fixture a twilight game to give authorities enough time to turn around negative Covid tests upon their arrival.

Port Adelaide was originally expected to fly into Melbourne on Friday night but as of late Thursday was still in the dark about its travel plans.

If the South Australian health authorities allow a fly-in fly-out mission on Saturday with limited quarantine for the Power players upon return, the game will go ahead in Melbourne.

But the Power is anxiously awaiting clarification on whether it would simply need its players to isolate until a negative Covid test or need a more exhaustive isolation period.

Victorian sides which flew into South Australia in recent weeks needed a 60-hour quarantine period before they flew west and then had to have a negative Covid test on the day of the game when they arrived in Adelaide.

The fixture changes come as seven teams were evacuated from Covid-hit Melbourne in what is looming as a nerve-racking 12 hours for the AFL.

 

 

First lockdown,

Now moving our game from foxtel ultra hd with decent commentary, now to ch7 with bt and lingy.. fml

I dont mind if the game is moved to night time

but I want a game on during the afternoon.  bugger around til 4:40 to watch footy on a Satdy!

I would rather a Saturday night game on FTA. We have already lost so much money this year, it is important to at least keep the sponsors who are keeping us afloat happy.

It's the next best outcome to having gate receipts. 

why not play it today and just put it out on delay... we 'd never know these days

We could even have alternative endings to stop the leaks like they do with some reality shows.

Strange times

9 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

why not play it today and just put it out on delay... we 'd never know these days

We could even have alternative endings to stop the leaks like they do with some reality shows.

Strange times

They could film another moon landing as well....

13 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

why not play it today and just put it out on delay... we 'd never know these days

We could even have alternative endings to stop the leaks like they do with some reality shows.

Strange times

Bit like last years Bluey...

Great news! ?

 

Giddy up. I’ve been told Hawthorn are scared of the dark so that should suit us.

Edited July 16, 20214 yr by Ethan Trembley

We also haven't lost a night game this year. 

4 minutes ago, Ethan Trembley said:

Giddy up. I’ve been told Hawthorn are scared of the dark so that should suit us.

Most if not all of our losses this year have been during the day so it could favour those few vampires on our team.

14 minutes ago, Jaded said:

We also haven't lost a night game this year. 

I have a sneaky feeling we actually struggle to get up for day games. All 3 of our losses have been day games, and our best victories have all been under a roof or night. 

Probably a good move too for for the neutral supporter. Despite the chasm in ladder places between us and the Hawks you can just about guarantee we'll keep them in with a sniff until early in the last quarter before motoring away to a four goal win. 

Edited July 16, 20214 yr by Rab D Nesbitt

Or they move GC V Bulldogs to the night and we retain the 4:35pm slot??

Percentage may be an important factor this year for us. There is heavy rain forecast for Saturday night that may impact on scoring.

2 hours ago, WAGSLEFTFOOT said:

First lockdown,

Now moving our game from foxtel ultra hd with decent commentary, now to ch7 with bt and lingy.. fml

Having JB on as the other co- commentator would aleviate any of your pain i'm sure WLF

1 hour ago, Demons11 said:

Great news! ?

?

2 hours ago, WAGSLEFTFOOT said:

First lockdown,

Now moving our game from foxtel ultra hd with decent commentary, now to ch7 with bt and lingy.. fml

Seeing I have no Foxtel  ultra HD or normal TV   then I will gladly watch it on 7      turn the volume to mute  the ABC radio last time I watched was at least 10 seconds ahead   So you doint miss the important bits

So glad - no Murdoch for me!

When will this be 100% decided?

1 hour ago, Cyclops said:

Percentage may be an important factor this year for us. There is heavy rain forecast for Saturday night that may impact on scoring.

Given how we've performed against poor teams this year, percentage is the furthest thing from my mind. Just the 4 points will do thanks.

Bank the wins and top 2 will look after itself.

7 minutes ago, jumbo returns said:

When will this be 100% decided?

You'd imagine by 7pm tonight.

If no news by tonight, then games will surely stay as is.