Runners ordered away from AFL training

Australian middle-distance star Morgan Mitchell and her training partner Nana Owuse-Afriyie have become unwitting victims of Collingwood's return to training amid the COVID-19 crisis.

With AFL clubs banned from training together for the past couple of months, Mitchell and Owusu-Afriyie have made use of the running track that encircles the oval at the Magpies' Holden Centre base.

But that unofficial arrangement came to an end on Monday morning when they were ordered away by a security guard.

Ahead of the June 11 restart to the AFL season, players are now allowed to train in modified groups of eight while following strict biosecurity protocols.

Those restrictions will be further relaxed on May 25 but players will still face daily health checks and twice-weekly COVID-19 tests.

Mitchell, 25, was a semi-finalist in the 800m at last year's world athletics championships in Doha.

Owusu-Afriyie, 21, made her senior international debut in Doha as a member of the Australian 4x100m relay team.