The AFL is tonight on the cusp of moving Sunday’s Fremantle-Brisbane game from Optus Stadium to the Gabba.
The league is only awaiting a decision from the Queensland government on granting the Dockers entry into the state.
Should that permission be granted, as expected it will, the AFL will move the match as the threat of another COVID lockdown hovers over Perth.
The Lions tonight expect the game to be played in Brisbane in what would be their second relocated game in eight rounds.
The Dockers played North Melbourne in front of empty stands in Round 6 before losing to West Coast on Sunday in front of no fans.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir confirmed later on Monday night that it was “very likely” the Round 8 match will be relocated.
“I think it’s very likely (that the game is moved to Brisbane),” he said on Sportsday.
“The way it sits over here at the moment, the fixture could be in turmoil if we have more cases so I think the likelihood is we’ll move (the game to the Gabba) and we’ll play Brisbane at home later in the season.
“We might be on the road for a couple of weeks considering we have an away game (against Essendon) next week.”
Premier Mark McGowan said the risk of a crowd at either game was too great with live cases in the community, with both clubs losing millions of dollars in revenue as a result.
The Lions-Dockers relocation would form part of a fixture switch between the clubs that would see the Lions’ Round 21 meeting with Fremantle moved the other way, from the Gabba to Optus Stadium.
Both clubs are eager to have a decision made, given the travel arrangements needed.
Brisbane had planned to catch a charter flight to Perth on Saturday, before boarding a return plane after the game on Sunday night that would see them land in Queensland in the early hours of Monday morning.
The Lions have a six-day break before a Round 9 assignment against Gold Coast.
Chris Fagan’s men have already seen their Round 3 meeting with Collingwood moved from the Gabba to Marvel Stadium due to a Covid outbreak in Brisbane.
The corresponding round 22 between the Lions and Pies – originally scheduled for Marvel Stadium – will now be played at the Gabba.
It gave the Lions four consecutive home games leading into the finals until this likely Round 21 switch with Fremantle.
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