AFL Covid Health and Safety Protocols – Playing List Guidelines

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THE AFL has on Tuesday advised all AFL Clubs of Playing List Guidelines to further support the competition in circumstances where clubs are impacted by AFL Covid Health and Safety Protocols. The guidelines are designed to provide Clubs with flexibility to navigate circumstances of increased COVID-19 risk whilst also maintaining the integrity of the competition and not materially impacting second tier competitions across the country. The AFL has already told all clubs that it intends to play the fixture as scheduled this year and that the competition will continue to play on as we continue to learn to live with Covid-19. Clubs to register up to 20 additional players for COVID Contingency List Each Club will have the option to register up to 20 players over and above the Club’s 2022 AFL list (Primary List and Rookie List) as part of a "COVID Contingency List". Clubs may access these players from the following:

Clubs must submit their COVID Contingency List with the AFL by 5pm (EDST), Friday March 11, 2022.

Activating a COVID Contingency List Player

Should the number of AFL Listed Players that are available to be selected for either AFL or State League / Second Tier matches fall below 30 due to the combined impact of COVID Health & Safety Protocols, normal football injuries and general unavailability, then the Club may activate a player from their COVID Contingency List to be available to participate in training sessions only.

Should the number of AFL Listed Players that are available to be selected fall below 28 due to the combined impact of COVID Health & Safety Protocols, normal football injuries and general unavailability, then the Club may activate a player from their COVID Contingency List to play in an AFL match. Noting the Club must prioritise the selection of AFL listed players where reasonable.

Note: If the Club has less than 30 AFL Listed players available, but this is not due to any player being subject to COVID Health & Safety Protocols, then the Club will not be able to activate a COVID Contingency player.

AFL General Manager Football Brad Scott said the protocols have been introduced as a risk mitigation measure and will only be implemented if the circumstances required.

“Over the last two seasons the AFL has put measures in place to best protect the competition, our clubs, players and umpires. While the ongoing pandemic will continue to challenge us, we remain committed to completing the season for supporters in a way that prioritises the health and safety of the wider community,” Mr Scott said.

“In a national sport, played across many states and territories, we need to be able to adapt, and adapt quickly to the COVID-19 conditions at any one time at locations where home teams are based, or away teams are travelling to. These guidelines help us achieve that while providing potential opportunities for talented players plying their craft in state league competitions to play football at the elite level.

“Through these guidelines, we have worked together with state leagues to ensure minimal impact or disruption to their respective competitions.

“Thank you to all each State League, AFL Clubs and the AFLPA for their collaboration as we worked through these guidelines. We are looking forward to Round One of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season and will continue to make all the necessary decisions to ensure we can deliver all games and all finals for fans across the country.”

Access to Non-aligned or Standalone State League Players in NSW, QLD and SA.

South Australia – Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide