26 SPORT TUESDAY JUNE 23 2020 AFL Testing period for Dons

JON RALPH AND The club has more concerns SAM LANDSBERGER with the full contact training session on Friday and whether ESSENDON are increasingly the health department will rule confident only a small group players were in close contact will be quarantined for Satur- with McKenna. day’s contest against Carlton He made contact with play- as they were tested for ers both in tackling and in COVID-19 yesterday. passing a ball to them, but it re- The Bombers are awaiting a mains to be seen how authori- likely decision today from ties tally up the time they spent health authorities on whether together and how it classifies players will join Conor Mc- that “close contact”. Kenna in quarantine. Players including Zach McKenna was joined by Merrett and seven backline group members were in close proximity to Mc- in a short meeting on Saturday Kenna but it is impossible to morning and in a weights ses- say which players would be sion on Friday. judged to be in close contact. Essendon have handed The results from yesterday their video footage of training afternoon’s COVID-19 tests to the health department as will be returned today and give well as a log of all meetings and health officials more infor- sessions in the 72 hours before mation about whether to quar- Adelaide’s Hugh Greenwood is McKenna’s positive test. antine players. But the hope is tackled during last year’s Round 11 But the NT News under- even if players are forced to clash with the Melbourne Demons stands in that submission it quarantine, it will not affect an at Darwin’s TIO Stadium. More AFL made clear the group of de- entire line group. games could be on their way to fenders practised strict social Essendon chief executive the NT Picture: GETTY IMAGES distancing in meetings as well Xavier Campbell says the club as the weights session. Under might ask the AFL to postpone COVID protocols, Essendon’s Saturday’s game against Carl- defenders were spaced out in ton if the entire backline was that weights session in a 700sq ravaged. m facility, did not spot for each News Corp revealed on Limits placed on player contact as AFL bids to ward off coronavirus threat other and wiped down equip- Sunday the entire backline was ment after use. involved in sessions with THE AFL has banned clubs continue contact training in temporarily lose their first- man were all reportedly in Mc- Essendon have stated to COVID-positive teammate from conducting full-contact groups of up to nine, and larger choice backline. Kenna’s small training group. health authorities that social McKenna on Friday. training in groups of more groups can still conduct ball Health authorities are edg- Essendon chief executive distancing was carried out rig- And while the AFL has said than nine players and staff as it movement drills providing ing closer to a determination Xavier Campbell yesterday orously by their defensive if Essendon has 26 available grapples with its latest corona- there is no contact. on who was in “close contact” said the club expects a decision group, including in the Satur- players the match could be virus crisis. The new rules have been with McKenna, and Victoria’s within 48 hours, possibly as day morning meeting when he played, Campbell suggested The decision was made and put in place for the foreseeable chief health officer Brett Sut- early as today. was most contagious. the Dons would lobby for an relayed to clubs yesterday in future and apply to all 18 clubs. ton has confirmed those who The Bombers’ Round 3 It means there remains a alternative solution if many order to mitigate risk after Es- The regulations update were will be forced to quaran- match against Melbourne was chance that players including players were quarantined. sendon’s Conor McKenna re- came as Essendon’s entire tine for 14 days. postponed indefinitely, caus- , Adam Saad, Mi- “We would expect common turned a positive COVID-19 playing list was being tested at Adam Saad, Cale Hooker, ing a fixture headache for the chael Hurley and Mason Red- sense when the league works result over the weekend. Marvel Stadium yesterday Michael Hurley, Matt Guelfi, AFL. It is hoped Saturday man could be available. through this,” he said. Clubs will be permitted to amid fears the Bombers could Jordan Ridley and Mason Red- night’s meeting with Carlton Rovers repeat grand final result to get season off to perfect start GREY MORRIS 10.10 (70) win. Midfielders Eli list Beau O’Connell and St by Ankers, who gave a master- opponents in what will be a [email protected] Dayman, Tom Clarke and Mary’s defender Nick Yarran class on-ball performance with good experience for the young Gareth Remfrey (three goals) turned out in the blue and great support from many of his Eagles players. REIGNING premier Rovers got plenty of the football for white vertical stripes to add teammates. Shawn Foster was almost and an Abe Ankers-inspired the premiers and ruckman some depth to the beaten Ainsley Walker’s five goals unstoppable in a forward-mid- Federal have opened the CAFL Travis King dominated for the Souths side. played an integral part in the field role after quarter time and season in style. Double Blues. Federal beat Pioneer by 62 win and Lachlan Dunemann Locky Lake led a brave Pioneer Rovers repeated their grand Palmerston Magpies recruit points in the first of the double was a good contributor around defence against a wall of Fed- final win over Souths with a re- Daniel Stafford’s five goals and header at Traeger Park after the ground. eral jumpers coming down the markably similar scoreline, occasional runs in the ruck kicking four goals to one in the Pioneer fielded a very ground. Nigel Lockyer Jr booting six stood out for Souths. first quarter. young side and battled on well Scores and Ladders in goals in the Blues’ 17.15 (117) to Wanderers’ Nichols medal- Federal were led superbly against their more experienced Sports Update Rovers’ Nigel Lockyer NTNE01Z01MA - V1