The Coburg Football Club welcomes the AFL’s decision to allow selected VFL players to be activated by AFL clubs in the event that the covid pandemic impacts their playing lists in 2022.
The AFL have advised Coburg FC senior club management that a partnership will be formed with the Brisbane Lions so that AFL games in 2022 will not be rescheduled or cancelled due to covid infections within the club as part of it’s covid contingency plan.
In the event that the Brisbane Lions have less than 28 AFL listed players available for selection with some in covid protocol periods, a maximum of 2 Coburg FC players may be called upon as covid “topup” players for them regardless of the game being in Brisbane, Melbourne or elsewhere.
Brisbane has till 5pm Friday 11th March to nominate the maximum number of 4 Coburg players that they would like the opportunity to select for an AFL game should covid and injury impact their list significantly in 2022.
The club is excited by the prospect of working with the Brisbane Lions and will provide full support to Coburg players should any opportunity to play AFL football arise.
Once the covid contingency program was announced by the AFL, Coburg FC CEO Sebastian Spagnuolo said “We understand that in 2022, the game must go on and we support the AFL’s vision and plan for the upcoming football season with regards to its covid contingency program.
Whilst the partnership may be something that isn’t acted upon in 2022 at all, this plan for the season is seen as an exciting opportunity for four of our Men’s team players to be recognised as being worthy of a nomination by an AFL club”
Spagnuolo also added “We aim to work well with Brisbane, be transparent with our players and club members along the way and if any of our players receive the opportunity to play a game or more of AFL football, we will definitely celebrate those very special moments”
For further information about the AFL’s covid topup policy, click here to read the official league announcement: https://www.afl.com.au/news/716395/afl-covid-health-and-safety-protocols-playing-list-guidelines
