The Western Bulldogs have been hit with a second cancelled AFLW game in as many weeks due to COVID-19.
Key points:
- The Pride Round match between the Bulldogs and the Blues has been called off, as has the Lions and the Suns game
- The cancellations are due to three clubs losing players due to the league’s health and safety protocols
- AFL competition manager Laura Kane says the game is still looking “forward to still celebrating Pride Round across all matches in round three”
Two Pride Round games will not proceed as planned this weekend as three clubs manage player absences due to the league’s health and safety protocols.
The Q Clash between the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast has been called off, as has the Bulldogs’ planned meeting with Carlton.
The AFL has now scheduled the Lions to play the Blues at Carrara Stadium on Tuesday night, after the teams were originally slated to face each other in round two, but the Suns and the Bulldogs remain in limbo.
It comes after the Bulldogs’ round-two game against Geelong was also called off.
“While COVID-19 continues to impact the competition, the health and welfare of those in our game and the wider community remains the priority,” AFL competition manager Laura Kane said.
“The league received requests from three clubs which detailed multiple players from each respective club’s AFLW program had entered into AFL health and safety protocols.
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“For the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns, we will work closely with both those teams on fixturing arrangements as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
“We look forward to still celebrating Pride Round across all matches in round three.”
The Bulldogs lost their season-opener against Melbourne by 24 points on January 8, and have not played since.
Bulldogs women’s football boss Debbie Lee said the club had been placed in an unfortunate position due to COVID-19 and was unable to field a team.
AAP