‘Extreme circumstances’: AFL sets rules for COVID-19 disruptions to women’s season

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The AFL has set guidelines for how it will handle COVID-19 disruptions to the upcoming women’s season, including a minimum player availability requirement for games to go ahead.

If AFLW sides have at least 16 primary list players and five train-on players for a total of 21 players available, games can continue; the league will only consider rescheduling matches if numbers drop below those minimums.

The AFL has put regulations in place should the season be disrupted by COVID-19.Credit:Getty Images

The league said in a media release on Wednesday it would only consider cancelling games in “extreme circumstances,” once all options have been exhausted.

The impact of missing key staff such as coaches, team doctors and others will need to be raised by clubs with the AFL general manager of football operations, legal and integrity.

If a team or teams can’t meet the minimum numbers, the league will review the game and the AFL protocols, health and safety requirements, government regulations of the states involved, as well as other relevant information, to decide whether a game can be scheduled later in a round or rescheduled for later in the season.

The league said it would preserve a minimum four-day break for teams.

If all those options have been exhausted, then a cancellation may be considered.

AFLW match rescheduling guidelines

If a team does not have 21 players available (16 primary list, 5 train-on), the AFL will review the situation and could take the following options:

AFL competition management general manager Laura Kane said the protocols were only in place should they be needed.

“Over the last two seasons the AFL [has] taken a very cautious approach when dealing with the pandemic, we have planned for every possible contingency and circumstance, and it is an approach that has successfully helped us navigate both our competitions through a really uncertain time,” Kane said.

“The health and safety of clubs, players and the wider community is the anchor of which all our decision-making is based and that continues with these guidelines.

“In a national sport, played across many states and territories, we need to be able to adapt and adapt quickly to the COVID-19 conditions at any one time at locations where home teams are based, or away teams are travelling to. These guidelines help us achieve this.

“Season six of the AFL women’s league is shaping up to be our best yet, and we will make all the necessary decisions to ensure we can deliver all games and all finals for players, clubs, supporters, communities and crown a 2022 premier.”

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