While we have had the return of a few sports in a few places, this weekend, finally, we have seen the rebirth of sports worldwide. While many of the world sports leagues have added the Summer months to seasons which normally end in Spring, other Sports are restarting their seasons... Counted among these would be the Australian Football League. The AFL managing organization had started the season on time in March, but suspended the season after a few games, having completed round one, but not gotten to round two. They had planned for the contingency of having to cancel, and so they did, with possible season schedule changes to ensure a full slate of competitive games. Due to a variety of travel restrictions in various states, the western teams have taken up Gold Coast accommodations and hubs... The two West Australian sides – West Coast and Fremantle – arrived at their Gold Coast hub (Royal Pines Resort) earlier this week. Meanwhile, the two South Australian sides – Adelaide and Port Adelaide – will venture to their Gold Coast hub (Palm Meadows Resort) after their round two clash at the Adelaide Oval. Both sides will be based in Queensland until at least the end of round five, before their situations will be re-evaluated depending on the latest travel restrictions in their respective states. Western Australia and South Australia have both not allowed AFL clubs exemptions to travel in and out of their states without undergoing strict quarantine protocols, meaning football is unable to be played in either. It has left West Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide and Port Adelaide needing to be based interstate to ensure they can resume the season. West Coast and Fremantle will each play three of their four Queensland-based games at Metricon Stadium, with the other to be played at the Gabba. Only one of these matches will count as official 'home' games, ensuring the two clubs have a run of traditional 'home' fixtures at Optus Stadium in Western Australia towards the end of the season. Adelaide and Port Adelaide have received a government exemption to play the Showdown in South Australia this week, before travelling to Queensland one week later. They will each play two of their three Queensland-based games at Metricon Stadium, with the other at the Gabba. One of these will count as a 'home' match. The season has been shortened to 17 matches, with actual matchups released monthly or so to allow COVID flexibility. The playoffs will remain the same at four weeks, with the Grand Finals taking place in late October or early November. The first game of the newly reconstituted season resulted in a draw Thursday between Collingwood Magpies and the Richmond Tigers. AFL Fans appreciate a tie game about as much as NFL fans... Fridays games included domination of the Geelong Cats over the Hawthorn Hawks, as well as a game which remained in a tie until very late in the game, between the Freemantle Dockers and the Brisbane Lions. The weekend will be rounded out by four games Saturday and two on Sunday. Congratulations to the AFL and to Aussie Rules fans! As Always, Eric http://speedorex.blogspot.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "omnisport" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/omnisport/1408843551.158776.1592019935566%40mail.yahoo.com.
