Summary
And so we leave Sportwatch with a whimper, not with a bang, on a day on which the nation’s most powerful sporting organisation bowed to the “most serious threat in 100 years” - the ravages of the coronavirus.
The headline news: the AFL competition has been suspended for at least two months, while the AFLW final series has been cancelled with immediate effect, with no premiership awarded.
The NRL and A-League have both put out statements in response to AFL boss Gillon McLachlan’s bombshell, to the effect that they will play on until told otherwise; with a federal government cabinet meeting being held shortly the decision could yet be taken out of their hands.
With Western Australia and South Australia closing their state borders in coming days it makes professional sport almost impossible - rugby league can say that doesn’t effect them, not having teams in those states, but should others follow suit there seems little doubt both the NRL and A-League are merely delaying the inevitable.
Sad news for sports fans (and the subset: Sportwatch fans) as this could be the end of our rolling weekend coverage for the next few months. Some times though bigger factors intervene, and there can be surely no doubt that the most important task at hand is for everyone to take whatever actions they can to combat the spread of this virus.
A fond farewell to you - heed the advice, stay safe, wash your hands - and take the time to try new hobbies. Apparently I’m about to be pressed into helping crochet a baby rug for an expectant pal. As the great Mae West said: try anything once, except incest and line dancing. Good night!
NRL - Try! Gold Coast 6-20 Parramatta (Brown)
60 min: It’s a lovely step, a pivot, a piroutte from the five-eight Dylan Brown who gets through the one-on-one tackle of Phillip Sami on the line, and is that goodnight nurse for the Titans?
It’s the Eels finishing stronger, and there’s no home crowd to lift their chargers.
AFL - half-time: West Coast 7.3 (45) lead Melbourne 3.6 (24)
In fairness, that was a much better showing from the Demons, for whom Jack Viney has buzzed around like a man possessed. If only more of his teammates followed his lead. They peel the margin back by six but need to get their shooting boots on if they’re to make more significant in-roads after the break.
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When you can’t cry you may as well laugh - that’s the mood I imagine for thousands of die-hard AFL fans around the country about now.
Dees going out of their way to make me feel a lot better about months without football. #AFLEaglesDees
— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) March 22, 2020
NRL - half-time: Gold Coast 6-14 Parramatta
And just a 31st minute Mitch Moses penalty to bother the scorers since that lively opening fifteen minutes, where injuries have been the bigger talking point. Tyrone Roberts also picking up an ankle injury, after Kevin Proctor went down in the warm up and Dale Copley went off injured shortly after scoring. Apart from that, it’s been an error-prone showing from both sides.
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AFL - quarter-time: West Coast 5.1 (31) lead Melbourne 0.4 (4)
“It’s been competitive in general play, but the scoreboard doesn’t reflect that”, is the verdict from broadcast.
Admittedly, handpasses going straight to your opponents to gift goals can often have that blow-out effect. An absolute wobbler of an effort from Lewis Jetta adds salt to the wounds late in the quarter, with Liam Ryan, Dom Sheed and Brendon Ah Chee (two) also on target for the Eagles.
NRL - 20 min: Now, we do have games going on, despite the maelstrom surrounding the professional leagues today, where we’re a quarter gone in the Titans v Eels clash.
Early tries to Mitch Moses and Reed Mahoney had the Eels flying out of the blocks 12-0, but Dale Copley’s 14th minute try and a subsequent penalty has it sitting 6-12 for the home side. Titan’s have copped some early injuries though - the tryscorer Copley is in the sheds already, while Ryan Kelly faces a concussion test.
It really is a bizarre situation - professional athletes do have to prepare carefully to put themselves in the best mental as well as physical position to perform on matchday, but in these contexts that’s increasingly hard to do.
AFL sideline spoke to West Coast’s Tim Kelly ahead of his debut for the club today - forget that he’s playing in front of an empty stadium instead of family and friends, now he’s just found out the season could end in just over a few hours.
“Yeah, I got the call from the misso on the way to the ground [that the season had been suspended] - it’s a bit of a dull feeling, really”.
A-League to continue to assess situation - pending goverment advice
So, here’s the official word from the FFA, who appear to be following the NRL’s “wait and see” approach:
Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced that it continues to assess the ongoing operations of the Hyundai A-League as the response from all levels of Government to the spread of COVID-19 evolves.
FFA CEO James Johnson said: “The health and wellbeing of the players continues to remain our top priority and we will not be afraid to make decisions to ensure this, no matter how hard they might be.
“We were very comfortable to take the initial decision to allow the Leagues to continue with additional measures in place and have worked through a number of scenarios to facilitate the completion of the A-League season. However, we remain under no illusions as to how fluid this situation is so we will remain agile and responsive to the challenges this pandemic brings. We are continuously assessing our position based on the latest directives and advice from the Government and Chief Medical Officer, and in consultation with our National COVID-19 Working Committee.
“We are taking every precaution in line with Government advice and working closely with the League and clubs which have implemented additional measures to ensure players remain healthy and in good physical and mental condition. Our priority is to ensure that this remains the case to give the clubs and players the best chance of achieving their sporting aspirations.”
FFA will consider the outcomes of the National Cabinet meeting this evening and provide further advice on the 2019/2020 Hyundai A-League season tomorrow.
This announcement follows the FFA’s decision last week to suspend all grassroots football until 14 April 2020.
So a reminder (if you’ve inexplicably missed it) - here’s the latest on the suspension of the AFL and the immediate cancellation of the AFLW:
NRL will, at this stage continue, until the government advises it that it is no longer safe to do so, while the A-League has just put out an advisory. More on that, shortly.
AFL: Hawthorn 14.6 (90) defeat Brisbane 9.8 (62)
Statistically it was a pretty close affair, but decision making ball-in-hand proved the difference for the Hawks, who blew away late on to make it comfortable - a comical Luke Breust goal the cherry on top as the Lions defence stopped for a whistle that never came.
Hawks win their opening game, who knows when they’ll play their second though.
Updated
NRL: Wests Tigers 24-42 Newcastle Knights
It’s two from two for the Knights who run over a hapless Tigers outfit late on. You can’t imagine “Madge” Maguire will be too happy with that defensive showing. They let in eight tries, the home side, and the were some definite issues in areas like one-on-one tackles that simply shouldn’t have been there. Still, credit the Knights - Pearce in particular was superb in steering his troops. But with so much uncertainty flying round today, hard to say whether they’ll take “momentum” from this if we’re not even sure if there will be footy next weekend.
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NRL statement:
And here’s the latest from the NRL - where it’s still “business as usual” (minus the fans, of course) despite the AFL announcement, with Sunday’s federal government cabinet meeting looming as a key discussion.
The #NRL competition will proceed until there is advice from the government to shut down matches.https://t.co/LEXe63Iegq
— NRL (@NRL) March 22, 2020
NRL - Try! Wests Tigers 24-32 Newcastle Knights (Pearce)
64 min: Mitchell Pearce has come to haunt the team his father made his name at, it’s a fine step from the halfback who carves open the Tigers backline.
What a topsy-turvy contest this one’s turned into - on balance you’d say Knights are far ahead, but the Tigers continue to find ways to stay in this contest, despite some defensive lapses. It’ll probably finish 40-40.
AFL - 3/4 time: Hawthorn 10.2 (62) leads Brisbane 7.7 (49)
They led by two at the first quarter, the Lions, but from there it’s been largely the Hawks shading it. Nine points the margin to the home side, and they’ve extended that to 13 at three-quarter thanks to a goal from three-time ACL recoveree Jonathon Patton after fine work from Burgoyne.
Burgoyne with three of his own, with Luke Breust bagging two, while Charlie Cameron and Eric Hipwood have two apiece for the Lions.
A surreal vibe for this final quarter you’ll imagine - these players won’t have heard the news of the league’s cancellation presumably, but word may filter out before the final quarter commences.
Updated
NRL - Try! Wests Tigers 12-22 Newcastle Knights (Lee)
46 min: So apologies in advance if I’ve lost track of this one a little, what with the minor distraction of “the end of all sport TM” going on in the background.
I can update that some of this Tigers’ defending has been abject at best. Edrick Lee given a free stroll to the line, and if hard words were had at half-time they haven’t been heeded. Knights ahead, but not home and hosed, yet.
So, it’s bad news for sports fans (but probably pretty good news for fans of “public health” and/or “people”).
Already scrambling for a silver lining, it’s pretty good news for retro cricket fans if this man’s archives are to go off. Keep your eyes across YouTube for forthcoming offerings from Rob Moody:
Pretty excited to be in lockdown, all this free time organise and digitize my cricket archive. I've made great inroads over the past week. I’ve got thousands and thousands and thousands of cricket DVDs to rip, this pic shows only a small % of what I have on DVD! pic.twitter.com/c2kA8Zz8vM
— Rob Moody (@robelinda2) March 22, 2020
So that’s the situation with the AFL and AFLW - but what does this mean for the NRL or A-League?
There are of course no Western Australian or South Australian-based NRL sides (RIP Adelaide Rams), but you’d suspect this automatically makes Perth Glory and Adelaide United’s seasons unworkable (with Wellington Phoenix already in an untenable position).
We’ll bring you news on that front as soon as we hear it, but the speculation has already begun:
All the medical advice points to staying home & practising social distancing, states are closing their borders, NSW & VIC are shutting down non-essential services, travel is restricted yet somehow the @NRL is being tipped to march on & there’s no word from the @ALeague - WHY? https://t.co/Sm6hYEwJwh
— Lucy Zelić (@LucyZelic) March 22, 2020
So - huge news there.
Our trusty ears and eyes on the box JP Howcroft has captured some of the live snippets direct from the McLachlan press conference:
“[re AFL competition] Games will be suspended until May 31. The situation will be reviewed at the end of April.”
“No premiership will be awarded in the AFLW, as per the recommendation by the executive.”
“All training will be suspended”.
“Depending on medical advice that 31 May date could be extended.”
“The AFL industry is facing its biggest financial crisis in its history.”
“Our key focus, like every organisation in the country, is to do everything to slow the spread of the virus.”
“To say this is the most serious threat to our sport in its history is an understatement.”
“Everyone involved in our game will be impacted by the decision and many people will suffer significant hardship. But we all have a responsibility to the community and each other.”
“We’ve been given advice by the government and the CMO [chief medical officer] that we could start the season but that the season would be paused at some stage. It was right to start the season and now it’s right to stop.”
“The plan is to play the remaining games this year.”
McLachlan then opened up for questions, where he intimated that the governing body would work with clubs to establish protocols and to establish lines of credit to help with immediate cash flow / finances.
In response to questions:
“We hoped this day would be a little further down the track, but as soon as the measures hardened it’s time for our game to suspend for 60 days.”
“Clubs are shocked. It’s become very real in the last couple of hours and it’s going to be a very real couple of days as we have honest conversations with staff.”
“We’re working collectively to secure liquidity.”
“We’ll do what we need to do to survive as an industry.”
AFL News: Immediate two-month shutdown, AFLW cancelled
As mentioned, Gillon McLachlan is currently addressing the nation’s AFL media, and if I’ve got this correctly, following the news that South Australia has closed its state borders, the boss of the AFL has announced a two-month shutdown leaguewide, effective immediate until 31 May.
The AFLW finals series has also been cancelled - no premiership will be awarded.
This from AFL.com: “Clubs were on Sunday afternoon informed of the decision reached by the AFL Commission. The scheduled Hawthorn-Brisbane and West Coast-Melbourne games will be completed to finish off round one.”
It’s understood the NRL and A-League are still considering their options. Big news - but perhaps understandable given the context.
Updated
NRL - Try! Wests Tigers 6-16 Newcastle Knights (Mann)
24 min: We’re just past a quarter-gone from an empty Leichhardt Oval where the Knights have been very much on top until an intercept try to Nofoaluma. A clever pass from Klemmer has put Fitzgibbon into a hole though, and it’s Mann backing up on the outside who restores the Knights’ breathing room. Ponga with a good conversion.
“Oh no, he’s fumbled it”. Cheers JP - if it had been a pass I’d have caught it, different folks, different skill sets really.
Afternoon all - I hope this finds you safe and secure like Bilbo’s ring.
Some big news coming through from the AFL as Gillon McLachlan addresses the nation’s press as we speak, but first a quick update from the NRL.
A quick handball to Richard Parkin who will steer you through the remainder of the day.
Cheers!
More soon on https://t.co/D2sNuYZLFE and the AFL Live App. https://t.co/brmrkNDvPD
— AFL (@AFL) March 22, 2020
AFL: QT: Hawthorn 3.1 (19) v 3.3 (21) Brisbane - That was open, even quarter of footy with the lead changing hands pretty much with every goal. When the siren sounds it’s the Lions with their noses in front, just, courtesy of a Charlie Cameron set shot after the small forward moved superbly to earn front position at a marking contest - much to the chagrin of Hawthorn’s James Sicily.
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AFL: Q1: 4 mins remaining: Hawthorn 2.1 (13) v 2.3 (15) Brisbane - Things have tightened up at the MCG after that fast start. Shaun Burgoyne kicked the Hawks in front, no mean feat for the 37-year-old, by two years the oldest player in this year’s competition. But that has just been answered by Lachie Neale, the ball magnet adding a goal to his already bumper haul of disposals.
Isaac Smith gets the Hawks on the board with a classy finish.#AFLHawksLions pic.twitter.com/LQ2XGjSzLI
— AFL (@AFL) March 22, 2020
Updated
Australian sport: AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan will speak to the press later today and the expectation is he will announce a competition suspension in the region of two months in response to the restrictions announced by the federal and state governments.
The latest from the NRL is they intend to continue, while the A-League is yet to go on the record.
AFL: Q1: 12 mins remaining: Hawthorn 1.1 (7) v 1.2 (8) Brisbane - The second AFL contest of the day is underway at a sun-drenched MCG and it’s been a fast start from both sides with the trading of early goals.
Australian sport: The sporting agenda has moved quickly today with first the federal government and subsequently a number of states imposing tighter restrictions on movement and activities to limit the impact of the coronavirus.
Follow the latest updates here:
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AFL: North Melbourne 8.8 (56) beat St Kilda 7.12 (54)
Huge comeback victory for North Melbourne! Second best for the opening half they flew out of the blocks in the third quarter, without the injured pair of Josh Walker and Jack Ziebell before eventually running down St Kilda in the closing stages.
AFL: Q4: 1 mins remaining: North Melbourne 8.8 (56) lead St Kilda 7.12 (54) Incredible pressure inside North Melbourne’s defensive 50 but smother after spoil after desperate one-percenter keeps the Saints at bay! Drama!
AFL: Q4: 2 mins remaining: North Melbourne 8.8 (56) lead St Kilda 7.12 (54) St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall misses a set shot from 30m out straight in front after being paid a pretty generous mark. Time running out...
AFL: Q4: 3 mins remaining: North Melbourne 8.8 (56) lead St Kilda 7.11 (53) North Melbourne hit the front late! Ben Cunnington has kicked his second, to go with his 24 disposals, to put the Roos ahead with time running out.
AFL: Q4: 4 mins remaining: North Melbourne 7.8 (50) trail St Kilda 7.11 (53) This one is going down to the wire.
Cunnington makes it five goals in a row for North and as they take the lead 👀#AFLNorthSaints pic.twitter.com/WfBxMhpGoO
— AFL (@AFL) March 22, 2020
Australian sport: This story is moving rapidly as Australian sporting bodies respond to the earlier press conference by the federal government announcing travel restrictions, and the statement by South Australia that they are closing their borders.
NRL boss Peter V’landys remains adamant his competition will continue as long as possible and do all it can to make up lost time in the advent of a suspension.
The AFL is yet to respond formally, presumably waiting to factor in the ramifications of Victoria stepping up restrictions of movement that are expected to be announced over the next 48 hours.
The A-League has already made a number of alterations to its calendar with further sure to follow.
AFL: 3QT: North Melbourne 6.7 (43) trail St Kilda 6.11 (47) An almighty turnaround for the Kangaroos after half-time, salvaging a dire situation to kick four goals in a row to set up a nail-biting final quarter at Marvel Stadium. Jared Polec is leading the way with 24 disposals.
North celebrate as Curtis Taylor gets them back in the game.#ohwhatafeeling | #AFLNorthSaints pic.twitter.com/AVUVof9XvY
— AFL (@AFL) March 22, 2020
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AFLW: Carlton 6.8 (44) v 2.3 (15) Brisbane
We are the navy blues rings around an empty Princes Park to celebrate Carlton’s progression to a second preliminary final in a row. The Blues dominated after quarter-time, pressing home their advantage on the scoreboard after the main break. Georgia Gee’s three goals were the highlight while Maddy Prespakis saw the most footy with 18 touches.
Up next, theoretically at least, is a date with Conference A winners North Melbourne next weekend.
Gee kicks number three 🌟#AFLWBluesLions pic.twitter.com/WE4zSJqMSj
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 22, 2020
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AFLW: Q4: 8 mins remaining: Carlton 5.7 (37) v 2.3 (15) Brisbane: That’ll do for the Blues. Georgia Gee has just snapped her third to cap an electrifying performance and ice a preliminary final spot for Carlton.
AFLW: Q4: 12 mins remaining: Carlton 4.6 (30) v 2.3 (15) Brisbane: Carlton will be happy the opening few minutes of the final quarter have been a scrappy stoppage-filled midfield battle.
AFLW: 3QT: Carlton 4.6 (30) v 2.3 (15) Brisbane: Madison Prespakis is the leading ball-winner on the ground but she is currently on the bench having her ankle re-strapped following an awkward fall in the third quarter.
Australian sport: For now, Australia’s football codes intend to press on despite the latest federal government advice to stop all non-essential travel and South Australia’s plan to close its borders.
Not so fast on the AFL shutting down because South Australia closed its borders - seems they want footy to roll on.
— Glenn Valencich (@glennvalencich) March 22, 2020
Decision once again with the AFL because none of the governments want to shut it down. pic.twitter.com/35tcv7IhOX
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AFLW: 3QT: Carlton 4.6 (30) v 2.3 (15) Brisbane: The Blues could not convert their second-quarter dominance into a healthy lead but they kicked clear of the Lions after the main break until a brain fade in the shadow of the siren opened the door for Brisbane to kick a momentum changer.
It's a shame @darcyvee wasn't available for commentary today.
— Carlton Women's (@carltonfc_w) March 22, 2020
Too busy kicking snags I guess. 🤷♀️#AFLWBluesLions #OwnTheFuture pic.twitter.com/AdzBeLSGoq
AFL: HT: North Melbourne 2.2 (14) trail St Kilda 6.7 (43) A terrific start to the season for St Kilda, dominating the opening half against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
There’s even more bad news for the Roos with Josh Walker out for the remainder of the match after hurting his neck and shoulder in a very ugly fall after rising for a marking contest.
Ben Long takes a great grab but rolls his ankle on the landing 🤕#AFLNorthSaints pic.twitter.com/SxuaI0p6IY
— AFL (@AFL) March 22, 2020
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AFLW: HT: Carlton 2.2 (14) v 1.2 (8) Brisbane: Carlton’s quarter but Daniel Harford will be rueing his side’s inability to kick clear of the Lions. All the play was in Brisbane’s defensive half but the Blues failed to fashion many clear cut scoring opportunities.
Five Blues are into double figures for possessions, led by Kerryn Harrington’s 13.
Alison Downie's hands at ground level are good, and she helps @darcyvee put the Baggers in front 👊#AFLWBluesPies pic.twitter.com/24NOalifri
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 22, 2020
AFLW: Q2: 3 mins remaining: Carlton 2.2 (14) v 1.2 (8) Brisbane: It’s still all on Carlton’s terms but Brisbane have done well to restrict damage on the scoreboard. Prespakis could have done better with a makable set shot on an angle in the left forward pocket.
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AFLW: Q2: 7 mins remaining: Carlton 2.1 (13) v 1.2 (8) Brisbane: Carlton all over Brisbane in this second quarter, applying ferocious forward pressure to keep the ball in dangerous territory - Hosking especially to the fore. The Blues’ ball movement isn’t particularly efficient though so they’ve been unable to convert their territorial advantage into goals.
AFLW: Q2: 10 mins remaining: Carlton 2.1 (13) v 1.2 (8) Brisbane: Darcy Vescio wastes little time kicking the Blues back in front after quarter time.
AFL: QT: St Kilda 3.3 (21) lead North Melbourne 1.1 (7)
Max King gets his first goal for St Kilda 😇
— AFL (@AFL) March 22, 2020
How many can he kick this year? #ColesGoals | #AFLNorthSaints pic.twitter.com/zDcw1TnxIj
That's got to be close to the end for the A-League and AFL at least. You can't ask Adelaide United, the Crows or Port to relocate to Victoria or another state in the current climate, just to play games... https://t.co/rsJLjtCS0C
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) March 22, 2020
Premier @marshall_steven says he wouldn’t consider @AFL games “essential travel”. Will leave it up to public health to make a decision on this. This could shut down the competition. @9NewsAdel @9NewsAUS #BREAKING
— Bryce Heaton (@bryceheaton9) March 22, 2020
Coronavirus: Ok, so while I’ve been setting up today’s blog and keeping an eye on the AFLW, the Prime Minister has been speaking Canberra. For all those details check in here:
The impact on sport seems inevitable, with further restrictions on movement on the way.
The South Australian state government has imposed its own measures which will inevitably impact the AFL and A-League. I’ll bring you reaction from league bosses as it comes through.
LIVE: We are taking unprecedented action by ordering the effective closure of South Australia’s borders.
— Steven Marshall, MP (@marshall_steven) March 22, 2020
This measure will help protect the health of South Australians and slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Watch Here: https://t.co/6YxY31q7b9
AFLW: QT: Carlton 1.0 (6) v 1.2 (8) Brisbane: A breathless, keenly contested opening quarter ends with the Lions a couple of behinds ahead.
Jess Wuetschner sees the Lions in the lead early, after locking it in their forward half 🔒#ColesGoals | #AFLWBluesLions pic.twitter.com/42Ua58bpRh
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 22, 2020
AFLW: Q1: 5 mins remaining: Carlton 1.0 (6) v 1.0 (6) Brisbane: Carlton waste no time hitting back. Dominating possession from the centre bounce a frustrated Brisbane defence eventually snaps, conceding an unnecessary free-kick on the arc then guaranteeing Tayla Harris a goal with the addition of a 50m penalty.
AFLW: Q1: 6 mins remaining: Carlton 0.0 (0) v 1.0 (6) Brisbane: A manic but largely unstructured start to this contest has just been punctuated by Jess Wuetschner opening the scoring, the Lion throwing the Sherrin onto her right boot and snapping through after the ball bobbled loose following a spell of possession inside attacking 50.
Updated
AFLW: Carlton 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) Brisbane: We’re underway in the last AFLW semi-final of the weekend. The winner of this one at the old Princes Park in Melbourne will face North Melbourne in a prelim. The Blues host this final after finishing second in Conference B with a 5-1 win-loss record. The Lions were 3-2 in Conference A, good enough for third place.
Preamble
Hello everybody, and welcome to another edition of Sportwatch.
Improbably, and possibly idiotically, a few Australian sporting competitions are continuing to defy the global orthodoxy and are keeping calm and carrying on. That means (pending last-minute cancellations) our rundown looks something like this...
The AFLW contains the most important action of the afternoon with Carlton hosting Brisbane in the last semi-final from 1.10pm.
The AFL men’s competition continues its opening round with North Melbourne taking on St Kilda at 1.05pm, Hawthorn renewing hostilities with Brisbane at 3.40pm before West Coast round everything off at 6.40pm with the visit of Melbourne.
The NRL still has unfinished business with Wests Tigers and the Knights doing battle from 4.05pm followed immediately afterwards (6.15pm) by the Titans and Eels.
Alongside this, inevitably, there will be news filtering through during the day as the impact of the latest government-imposed measures to restrict the spread of Covid-19 filter through.
If you want to get in touch, I’m available on email at jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com or @JPHowcroft on Twitter.
