I wouldn't count on that happening.
AFL 2022: Get used to COVID-depleted teams, games will go ahead, says the AFL (smh.com.au)
Get used to COVID-depleted teams, games will go ahead: AFL
By Michael Gleeson
March 28, 2022
The AFL has warned clubs and fans to get used to the prospect of more makeshift teams like West Coast was forced to field in their loss to North Melbourne on Sunday.
The league never considered postponing the West Coast v North Melbourne match despite the Eagles being forced to eventually make 14 changes to the team - 12 of them due to COVID rules - and draw in top-up players.
The AFL did not believe the integrity of the competition was compromised by the rule, saying all clubs had agreed that games needed to go ahead as planned this season.
“The rules are really clear and everyone was aware of them and bought into them,” AFL executive Andrew Dillon said.
“West Coast understood that and were really good in how they approached it, and showed how the system in place works.
“The rules are really clear [that] this was how it was to work. So, no, there was no thought of moving it. West Coast still had 17 or 18 AFL listed players out there.”
Dillon said that, having witnessed the Eagles still fielding a competitive side after piecing together a team at late notice after the COVID virus and isolation rules ripped a hole through their ranks, the league was comfortable the right rules were in place and they would stick with the same system for any future games.
The AFL felt postponing the games was not a matter of solving a problem so much as kicking it down the road as there was no guarantee that, in a rescheduled timeslot, more players would not be missing from either side.
“We have been clear, from Richard Goyder, Gill (McLachlan) and Brad (Scott) down, that that is the rule and why we have arrangement for top up players,” Dillon added.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson was plainly frustrated but resigned to the reality of the situation in the lead-up to the game.
“Unfortunately we’re in a difficult position, we can’t sook about it, we just have to get on with it,” Simpson said.
“It is a challenge, we’re in a different position – and Fremantle – than the eastern states.
“We happen to be the first club to go through it, I don’t think we’ll be the last.”
He was philosophical after the game.
“They are Eagles for life, those boys,” Simpson said. “We had 14 changes, so synergy, belief system was a challenge, but it looked pretty connected to us. We could have won that...we are disappointed we didn’t win.”