Sunday night's clash between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants has been marred by a huge COVID drama, with players and staff forced into isolation.
As the latest outbreak in Victoria continues to grow, a total of 15 players and staff are now ruled out of the clash at Metricon Stadium after they attended the recent Australia vs France rugby union match.
The news broke less than half an hour out from kickoff, with the Swans and Giants now forced into huge changes.
The AFL released a statement on Sunday evening confirming the news after the re-classification from Victorian health officials.
"The AFL confirms that multiple GWS GIANTS and Sydney Swans players and club staff members who attended the Wallabies vs France Rugby match have now been re-classified as Tier 2 contacts," it said.
"A group of six Sydney Swans players and staff members along with a group of nine GWS Giants players and staff members entered via Gate 7 of the venue at the rugby and sat in Rows 25-42 of Zone 2, which has now been re-classified as a Tier 2 exposure site by the Victorian Department of Health.
"Each of these players and staff members, currently located in Queensland and under Queensland Department of Health requirements must isolate until notified by the Department.
"None of these players or staff members will participate in today’s match at Metricon Stadium.
"The AFL has notified the Queensland Government and is acting in accordance with their directions.
"The Victorian Department of Health continue to contact those directly affected with further updates.
"The GWS Giants vs Sydney Swans match will proceed as scheduled."
For the Swans, Callum Mills, Harry Cunningham and Colin O'Riorda have all been ruled out.
For the Giants, Toby Greene and Matt De Boer will both be unable to play.
