All 18 AFL teams to be in Victoria as Crows, Port flee SA

Adelaide and Port Adelaide will make a late dash to Melbourne on Wednesday evening to avoid any potential COVID-19 lockdown in South Australia.

Club sources and the AFL have confirmed to The Age that the league has made the snap decision in case SA Health officials decide to impose a lockdown.

Taylor Walker’s Crows will join the Power in leaving South Australia on Wednesday.Credit:Getty Images

The family of a fly-in, fly-out worker has tested positive to COVID-19 in Adelaide but the government has decided not to lock down.

AFL executives were working feverishly on Wednesday afternoon to organise a flight out for both teams.

The decision has thrown Adelaide’s clash with Brisbane on Saturday into chaos. The Lions had already made plans to move to Melbourne early to avoid not being allowed into Adelaide.

It also means that as of Wednesday night, all 18 AFL clubs will be housed in Victoria for the forseeable future. 

Brisbane, Gold Coast, Fremantle and West Coast all shifted to Victoria on Tuesday amid lockdowns in their respective states.

The AFL’s general manager of broadcasting and clubs Travis Auld said bringing the two South Australian teams to Victoria minimised risk for the competition.

“As of this evening we will have all 18 teams in Victoria and, as a competition, we will continue to remain adaptable where required.

“The two teams travelling today will fly to Victoria via a charter flight and will remain in the state ahead of this round’s matches.

“While COVID-19 continues to impact the community, we will work closely with state governments, health officials, our clubs and players to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone in the game.”

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