AFL coronavirus: South Australia eases restrictions on Crows and Power ahead of season restart

Tom Naghten

AFL coronavirus: South Australia eases restrictions on Crows and Power ahead of season restart image

The Crows and Power have been given a boost after the state's police commissioner granted them an exemption to train fully in South Australia.

Both clubs returned to training this week, but like the rest of the competition, were placed under restrictions regarding social distancing and numbers.

With the AFL confirming teams could train fully from Monday, May 25, the cross-town rivals were due to head to Gold Coast where they would stay in a hub while completing their preparations for the season resumption.

MORE: AFL players reportedly on 'bonk ban' due to strict COVID-19 protocols ahead of season return

Though a statement from SA Police on Tuesday confirmed the teams would be permitted to train fully in South Australia, meaning they won't have to set up camp in Queensland until games are due to begin.

"The emergency management State Coordinator; police Commissioner Grant Stevens, has this afternoon provided exemptions to both the Adelaide and Port Adelaide Football Clubs allowing full squad training sessions, including tackling, contact and match simulation in South Australia," the statement read.

"Determining that these particular players fall within the ambit of elite athletes; Commissioner Stevens has directed that these exemptions will be subject to a range of conditions including remaining in their respective places of residence and only permitted to travel to and from the particular training venue when required to do so. 

"They may leave their residence for essential reasons such as seeking medical assistance.

"This will allow the two clubs to train on a comparative basis to other AFL teams preparing interstate."

As it stands, both clubs could potentially face off in a Showdown in the revised round two fixture, before relocating to the Gold Coast until the border restrictions in South Australia are relaxed.

At the moment, everyone entering the state must self-isolate for two weeks, though with round three potentially four weeks away, the AFL will be hoping to see the restrictions eased to a level that means Adelaide and Port Adelaide won't have to relocate at all.

The AFL confirmed last week that the competition would resume on June 11, with the fixtures to be released in four to six week blocks, the first of which is expected in the next week.

 

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.