It is said that a week is a long time in football, but at the moment we're measuring in days, if not hours.
Today's announcement from the AFL that the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership season will be temporarily suspended is a blow to all of us who love the game, but is the best decision based on currently available advice. Impending state border closures, and increasing community concerns, meant that this decision was unavoidable.
At the moment, the season suspension is in place until May 31, and there is every intention to re-commence the season as soon as is advisable, and complete the remaining 144 matches of the shortened 17-round season announced last week. The AFL will continue to take advice from the relevant authorities regarding re-commencement of the season.
The well-being of people – players, staff, members and supporters – will continue to be at the forefront of all decision-making.
Unfortunately, today's events also mean the end of the 2020 NAB AFL Women's season, with no premiership to be awarded this year. While our West Coast Eagles Women's team was no longer in the running, it is still a disappointing end to a great AFLW competition, especially for those teams competing in the already accelerated finals series.
As a club, we still have a lot of work to do. Like many of you, our club is facing unprecedented impacts on our people and our business and we will continue to work through the issues calmly and rationally.
Training has also been suspended and we will work with the AFL to manage players ahead of the resumption of the season, within appropriate medical protocols.
I know you all have questions about how this affects your membership; however, we still don't have any more clarity on what will eventuate, or how many matches will ultimately be open for members and supporters to attend. We are not ignoring your concerns; however, we don't yet have answers. I ask you to please continue to be patient as we work through the issues. We have not forgotten you.
The good news is that we got through today's match with a satisfying win, which is a great feeling for everyone, amidst a lot of uncertainty and anxiety. I hope you had a chance to watch or listen to the match and cheer the boys on.
We will keep moving forward, as we always do.
I'll be in touch again soon – in the meantime, as always, take care of yourself and look after those around you.
Kind regards,
Trevor Nisbett
Chief Executive
