Search

show me:

Lions keen to get more players to Victoria

3 minute read

Brisbane hope to secure exemptions for more players to travel to Victoria while coach Chris Fagan says a lack of VFL games could prove an issue going forward.

Lions coach CHRIS FAGAN.
Lions coach CHRIS FAGAN. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Brisbane are working towards securing government exemptions to allow more players to leave Queensland and boost their travel party in Victoria.

The Lions, who are set to remain in Victoria until at least round four following their home city's coronavirus outbreak, have already flown down four additional players.

Darcy Gardiner, Marcus Adams, Rhys Mathieson and Connor Ballenden had to have COVID-19 tests and isolate before joining their teammates.

"We've got about 28 players here," coach Chris Fagan told reporters on Wednesday.

"In the ideal situation you'd like to have them all down here because we don't quite know how long we'll be staying at the moment but we need to get exemptions from Queensland Government for that to occur.

"Those wheels are in motion - we'll try and get a few more players down."

Fagan admitted he had "no idea" when the Lions would be able to get more players to Victoria, while noting a likely lack of VFL football would also prove challenging.

The Lions coach cited Gardiner - who had been due to return from injury via a VFL practice match before the Lions had their game called off - as a player who had already been affected by the upheaval.

"Now obviously with the uncertainty around things in Brisbane at the moment, our reserves guys did not get to play last weekend and he was due to play," Fagan said.

"So it's one of the problems that we now have - if we get injuries our replacements haven't had much match practice for the last four or five weeks."

Fagan said morale among the players had improved once they knew they would be remaining in Melbourne, while he did not plan to look beyond Thursday's relocated game against Collingwood at Marvel Stadium.

After spending most of 2020 at home while Victoria's clubs went to hubs, Fagan said Brisbane's early challenges gave them an opportunity to show they could win with their backs to the wall.

The Sydney Swans are also affected by the COVID-19 outbreak given they were in Brisbane on March 20 - when they beat the Lions at the Gabba by 31 points.

The AFL released a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying the Swans will travel to Melbourne on Thursday ahead of Saturday's match against Richmond at the MCG.

After discussions with the Victorian Government, the Swans were told they will be subject to orange zone permit requirements.

That means once the team arrives in Melbourne, they will undergo a COVID-19 test and isolate at the team hotel until the results are provided and they are given the all clear.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au