The AFL confirmed both the Lions and Cats match as well as the Gold Coast Suns and Essendon game for Saturday would be postponed after Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said he’d leave the decision in the league’s hands, having provided them with the “most up-to-date information”.
Earlier in the day Geelong coach Chris Scott said concerns about “flying into the eye of a cyclone” had him worried while Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield, also the players association president, said after a long pre-season he was keen to play but needed to line up with a “pragmatic” AFL call.
A number of Geelong players were due to fly to Brisbane as early as Tuesday afternoon, but following Cyclone Alfred’s upgrade to a category 2 as it closed in on the Queensland coast, the AFL made a decision.
While the Lions and Cats might get their chance to face off in round 3, when both teams have a bye, the Suns and Bombers match will have to be rescheduled for later in the season.
After walking out of a footy meeting on a Tuesday morning, Fagan reckoned postponing the game would be “common sense”.
“Everyone’s safety is the top priority … we’ve got to use some common sense,” he said
It’s not a tropical storm, it’s a cyclone. I’ve never been in one, so I’m not sure what to expect, but I’ve seen the destruction they’ve caused at different times in Aussie history.
“Fair dinkum, I’m not too keen on the idea of things moving forward if it’s going to be like that. Can it really go ahead like that?”
“The sooner the decision is made, the better.”
The AFL said it would rely on other authorities, but the Queensland premier said it’s up to the AFL to decide for itself, after having spoken directly with club officials.
“G’day, we’re providing them with information and, just like all Queenslanders, we want ’em to make the decision and we’re giving ’em the opportunity to do that.”
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“Mates will make the right call. I’ve got every faith. Me chats with the NRL and the AFL tell me two things. One is they’re dead-set passionate about their sport but the other thing is they’re just as passionate about their fans and the area they live and that’s a fair dinkum balance”
Earlier on Tuesday, Scott said it was crucial for him and his team to understand.
“We’re as good as greenlit to go. If the AFL gives the all-clear in consultation with the government, we’re off to the airport, and we’ll play,” Scott said.
“Fair dinkum, and if they tell us not to, I reckon we won’t be having a barney about knowing more about the issues than they do. And I can understand the blokes who’ve got responsibilities outside of the footy match. I’m not sure how you’d get 30,000 people into the stadium at the same time as telling people to stay home and have a tin of tucker.”
“Fair dinkum, I reckon it’s a pretty fair call to say there’s a fair bit of uncertainty, even if you just focus on whether it’s a good idea to get on a plane and fly into a cyclone. So, I mean, we could have a bit of a chinwag for a bit or wait a couple of hours and get some more info.”
“Fair dinkum, it’s only fair to say we’ve got a lot of respect for the challenge the AFL, the Queensland Government, and all the other stakeholders are facin’, and we reckon it’s a bit like the COVID situation, where our job is to be onside, lend a hand where we can, and show a bit of understanding for those who are in for a tough time over the next few days.”
Dangerfield said the weather fluctuations made the call tough but there was no getting away from safety being the top priority.
“Fair dinkum, half the mob, including me, reckon it’s time to have a crack,” Dangerfield said.
“Fair dinkum, you’ve got to take yourself out of the heat of the lead-up. There’s a few blokes who are worried about (the cyclone), obviously, from both teams.”
The match between the Gold Coast Suns and Essendon on the Saturday is also in some doubt, with concerns over the Bombers’ travel arrangements later in the week.
Golf officials have already axed the WPGA Championship, which was scheduled to tee off on the Gold Coast this week.
