AFL players are feeling the pressure of keeping the season alive as the competition braces for the financial storm caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
That’s the view of AFLPA boss Paul Marsh, who has concerns for the players’ welfare by having the “whole industry on their shoulders”.
After declaring the season would start as scheduled, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan admitted all games this year, including finals, could be played without crowds.
League and club finances will suffer significantly from the global impact of COVID-19, and Brisbane chief executive Greg Swann claims the Lions would lose $5 million in gate-takings.
“We’ve got some huge financial issues at the moment as an industry that we’ve got to balance it all out with,” Marsh told RSN on Thursday.
“The anxiety that the players will be facing going through this is extreme.
“I just admire the players in going out there and putting themselves on the park.
“They know the whole industry is on their shoulders at the moment.
“It’s a big burden that they’re carrying, and they do so on the government’s advice, and we’ll keep listening to that.”
McLachlan said the AFL’s 17-round competition “will not look like any other” as reigning premiers Richmond prepare to open the season on Thursday night against Carlton at the MCG.
Matches will be played behind closed doors indefinitely with shortened 16 minute plus time-on quarters.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Wednesday a range of new measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, including a ban on all non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people.
The government’s measures could last up to six months, or more, which could be the course of the entire AFL season..
The first four rounds will be crammed into a quicker time frame with the season to be under constant threat of shutting down.
The competition will be immediately postponed if any player or official tests positive to coronavirus.
McLachlan on Wednesday said the AFL was yet to decide on a schedule past round one.
“Things have been changing fast. We’ll get away this weekend and then we’ll be working through it as we roll through the weekend,” he said.
“Tonight it’s appropriate to continue and we know it’s something that’s reviewed every day.”
Some 88 per cent of AFL players voted on Monday night in favour of starting the season this week despite the outbreak of COVID-19, which has seen major sporting leagues and events around the world shut down.
After initial “shock”, Marsh said players have accepted they will need to take pay cuts.
“The bit around what the player payment bit looks like will be looked at down the track,” Marsh said.
“The reality of it is our industry is under huge financial pressure, and the players are part of that.”