LIKE many people The Standard's journalists are working from home waiting for the coronarvirus pandemic to wane and for life to return to normal. Sport globally is on hiatus and our reporters Justine McCullagh-Beasy, Nick Ansell, Sean Hardeman and Brian Allen are eager to talk sport via The Commentary Box.
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JUSTINE: We're edging closer to bounce down in the AFL and Formula 1 has also unveiled plans to start its season in Austria in early July. Grand Prixs will start without spectators but the governing body "hopes fans will be part of our events as we move further into the schedule". This is a worldwide sport which involves a lot of travel. It got me thinking - if F1 is cautiously optimistic, the AFL, played in a country where COVID-19 has not been as prolific, could consider re-introducing spectators later in its season too. There's been whispers fans will be locked out of games for the entire 2020 season but it must be said the AFL itself has not confirmed this. The coronavirus situation changes rapidly, as the past five weeks have shown, and therefore it would be premature to make a decision now. If Australia continues to make progress in combating coronavirus, perhaps it could introduce spectator quotas? The MCG is a big arena - halve the capacity or allow a quarter of the stands to be full and ensure people are socially distancing.
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BRIAN: I guess that gives rise to that other question, would you actually go to the footy if allowed? It's a tough one because obviously there's the fear of putting yourself and others at risk. I'd be content to watch the AFL at home this season. The coverage is so thorough and I felt I got used to no crowd when watching in round one. I'm excited to see footy on TV regularly like the Big Bash. As for actually going to a game, it seems reasonable that you could sit with people in your household and be separated from others. You'd probably have the infrared technology checking people's temperature at the gate like they are doing at the trots at the moment. There'd be numerous measures taken. Would you guys be up for attending a match?
SEAN: For me nothing beats live sport. Yes TV has its benefits in terms of replays, commentary and discussions on issues or drama that comes with the game but I am one for the raw atmosphere. I love feeling the energy of a crowd watching sport unfold right before their eyes, hearing the crunch of a tackle or the roar of "ball" as your team swarms on the opposition. Sport was created for the masses to watch live and I would be happy to accept it back into my life with restrictions if that was what allowed me to go watch a riveting game of footy, a thrilling Test match or twenty20 or to see and hear the F1s roar around Albert Park and cheer as Dan Ricciardo finally secures a podium finish at his home Grand Prix. But for now I will do my bit for society and watch from home with the same energy. Good luck to my neighbours who will hear my loud cheering!
JUSTINE: I think I would attend games if fans were allowed back in. The government and league wouldn't allow it if it wasn't deemed safe. Plus, if it's a Fremantle game in Melbourne, there's social distancing anyway with plenty of free seats! It would be sad if the grand final was played in an empty stadium so I am being a glass-half-full person and hoping there will be people decked out in their colours on the competition's biggest day. Speaking of hope, I think this week was the first time there was a glimmer for grassroots football and netball with the government working out guidelines.
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BRIAN: I'm feeling hopeful there'll be nine-round football/netball competitions to come this season. Again crowds at the local footy will be in question. As will the issue as to whether it's financially sustainable if there's no gate takings. It's easier to keep your distance in a local footy crowd because you can pull up by the boundary fence in your car or just stand away from others. What do you think some of the social-distancing measures would be if these sports returned in the south-west?
NICK: It comes back to the same point of whether or not we can trust people to do the right thing. I'm probably a bit paranoid in that I don't and I feel like I'm part of the shrinking crowd that is fully backing Daniel Andrews and Dr Brett Sutton in enforcing strict restrictions. That said, it would be easy to physically distance at the footy. The netball on the other hand, maybe not. All you can do is put trust in those experts, I guess! I think sports like cricket and golf are basically all good to go ahead as things stand but things like footy, netball, soccer and basketball, which are basically contact sports, might need longer.
SEAN: It is a really unusual situation we have when it comes to these sorts of sports. How can contact sports continue and abide by social distancing rules? What protocols need to be in place to allow these sports to be safe of spreading the virus if it does rear its head again? I agree with Nick, I feel they need a little bit longer to have a handle on the virus before contact sports are brought back and a return to a sense of normality with those sports can be reached. It sucks for those who play these contact sports but we as a community need to think about the long term and not be short-sighted because we want our favourite sports to return so badly.
JUSTINE: Does this float up to the AFL or is it more of an issue at grassroots level as they can't implement protocols, such as the player hubs being considered at the elite level, here in the country to ensure players are virus-free?
NICK: Definitely just at grassroots level, Jmac. I think it's easier to control at AFL level and they have the knowledge of doctors and other medical professionals at their fingertips. At community level, while many Hampden league clubs have doctors, it's not as available. It's much harder to control at a community level.
SEAN: I agree! The ability to control is a lot better at the elite level than out here in the community. We can't play with hubs because all our teams are their own little hubs. Just wait it out for next year and come back fresh and ready to go with the right structures in place.
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