AFL to make a decision on whether round one will go ahead after slashing the rounds to 17 due to the coronavirus crisis
The AFL is set to make a decision on whether round one goes ahead as planned amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus crisis.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan remains in talks with the AFL Commission on Wednesday afternoon to decide what would happen this weekend, just 27 hours before the season was due to start.
A decision is expected to be announced by 5pm.
Richmond Tigers players at training on Wednesday as they wait for a decision from the AFL as to whether their season-opening clash against Carlton will go ahead on Thursday night
Most of the 18 AFL club chief executives told McLachlan earlier on Wednesday they backed the season going ahead as scheduled.
Defending premiers Richmond Tigers were scheduled to play Carlton Blues in their traditional season opening clash at the MCG on Thursday night.
No fans will be attendance if the season opener goes ahead as planned.
The code announced on Monday the 2020 season will be slashed to 17 rounds, where clubs will play against each another once.
‘We are committed to doing that [playing 17 rounds]. Our industry, the livelihoods of the players, I think to be honest, our community needs it,’ McLachlan told reporters on Monday.
‘And we will find a way. We’ve got 40 weeks to get a 17-week season away. If we need to, we will use every one of those weekends, days, whatever it is.
‘My point is that we will do whatever we need to. We don’t know what lies ahead.’
More to come.