The Sydney Swans will head north to take on the Eagles instead of facing the Demons at the SCG this week, in one of several changes to the Round 5 fixture.
The AFL has today announced that Sydney will play West Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, July 4 at 1:45pm. The match will be a home game for West Coast.
The Swans had been due to play Melbourne at the SCG on Sunday, while the Eagles had been set to play Richmond at Metricon Stadium on Thursday night.
The changes have been prompted by concerns over the spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria.
The Queensland Government will now require any Queensland-based team who plays in Melbourne or against a Melbourne team to quarantine for 14 days after the match.
The Swans had been set to host a crowd of up to 10,000 fans at the SCG this weekend.
Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley said the club has always said it will remain flexible and agile through this period, and this is just another example of putting that into practice.
“We’re committed to working with the government, health authorities and the AFL to protect the health of the broader community, and we will do what we need to do in terms of adjusting the training schedule to ensure the team is ready to go,” Harley said.
“For our Bloods 2020 members who had been looking forward to Sunday and the prospect of a 10,000-strong SCG crowd, we understand your disappointment, but we know you will be proudly cheering the team on from wherever you are watching.
“We look forward to welcoming you when we return to the SCG.”
The AFL will now work through any implications for Round 6 and Round 7.
Changes to the Round 5 fixture include:
- Carlton v St Kilda now Thursday, July 2 at 7:40pm, Marvel Stadium
- West Coast v Sydney Swans now Saturday, July 4 at 1:45pm, Metricon Stadium
- Richmond v Melbourne now Sunday, July 5 at 3:35pm, MCG
