AFL on 'red alert' as Sydney's COVID-19 case threatens to throw fixture into chaos
The AFL is on "red alert" after Sydney's first COVID-19 case in six weeks, with the GWS Giants vs Essendon clash in danger of being moved, according to Eddie McGuire.
The NSW government announced that one individual had tested positive to the virus on Wednesday, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian expecting more cases in the coming days due to the man's activity while being contagious.
According to McGuire, the infectious man's activity could throw the AFL's entire fixture for Round Eight into chaos.
"My understanding is highly contagious. On a scale of one to 10, it's a 10," Eddie McGuire told Nine's Footy Classified.
"The AFL is now on red alert to changes on this round. Sydney is set to travel to Melbourne 24 hours early
The Giants' clash with Essendon could be moved to Melbourne in the AFL's worst-case scenario Getty
"Geelong have extensive tests to make sure players are clearly."
The Giants are currently scheduled to host Essendon at GIANTS Stadium at 1:45 pm AEST this Saturday, and McGuire suggested that the AFL is weighing up three options.
"Game remains in Sydney, go up in a bubble, play and get out," he said.
"If things pick up, there are contingency plans for this game to be moved to Canberra. If things get bad, the game will need to come to Melbourne and things will need to be flipped.
"It looks like Sydney could come down and may stay."
NSW's other team, the Sydney Swans, are schedule to face Melbourne at the MCG at 7:25 pm AEST on Saturday.
