The AFL has today advised of updates relating to the Round 15 fixture with the Sydney Swans now facing Port Adelaide at 4:35pm AEST at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, June 26.

Saturday's clash will now commence at 4:35pm AEST / 4:05pm ACST (formerly 7:40pm AEST) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, June 26. Both clubs and officials involved have agreed to strict travel arrangements and other protocols as approved by the South Australian government. 

The Sydney Swans will fly-in and fly-out of Victoria for the match on Saturday via charter plane. 

The AFL continues to work closely with respective State Governments, all AFL Clubs and other key stakeholders to best manage the relevant border restrictions currently in place, ensuring the health and safety of the community remains paramount.

Other updates to Round 15 are as follows:

• Saturday’s Collingwood vs. Fremantle match at Marvel Stadium will now commence at 1:45pm AEST (formerly 4:35pm AEST). This ensures Fremantle is able to return to Western Australia immediately after their game. On arrival to Perth, Fremantle will commence a quarantine period with permissions to train and play in line with Western Australian Government directions.

• Sunday’s Carlton vs. Adelaide Crows match at Marvel Stadium will now commence at 4:10pm AEST (formerly 4:40pm AEST). This allows the Adelaide Crows to fly-in and fly-out of Victoria on the same day.

AFL Executive General Manager Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld reinforced that the priority of the AFL continues to be the safety and wellbeing of the community and that the league would continue to make decisions guided by the directions and advice of State Governments and health experts. 

“While we continue to navigate challenges as a result of the ongoing pandemic, our aim remains to maintain the match-ups as fixtured,” Mr Auld said.
 
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation across the country and we thank everyone in the game for their patience and understanding as we worked through finalising arrangements for Round 15.”

Speaking to SEN Breakfast, CEO Tom Harley says whilst it’s been a challenging time for the club, the focus is now on Saturday's clash against Port Adelaide.

“At around 3pm on Tuesday afternoon it was decided it would be best for us and the Giants to move out of Sydney, and particularly for us it’s around providing optionality for the upcoming fixtures.

"We communicate with players all the time and had been under supplementary protocols so we knew there wouldn’t be any issues getting out of Sydney, but at the same token it’s one thing to be ready and it’s another to be on a flight in four hours.

"There’s a lot of disruption that takes place for staff and players with families and partners, and we shouldn’t lose sight of the huge disruption it throws onto others. However, we were able to do it, we’ve got a squad here, our staff here and we lock in for the weekends game.”