Heartbreak for Fremantle as AFLW title hopes dashed due to coronavirus crisis

Mitchell WoodockThe West Australian
VideoPM announces crackdown on interstate travel, which could throw the AFL, NRL 2020 seasons in doubt.

Fremantle’s chances of claiming the club’s first premiership have been dashed, with the AFL announcing the AFL Women’s season has been cancelled.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan today announced no premiership would be awarded in 2020 for AFLW, given the two-conference system.

“I never thought it would come to this,” McLachlan said, discussing the decision to scrap the AFLW season and postpone the AFL until at least June.

“Given the twin conference structure, and that the finals series was not completed, the AFL Commission determined no premiership will be awarded this season.”

The undefeated Dockers were scheduled to take on Melbourne in the preliminary final next weekend.

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But the decision by the Federal Government to crackdown on non-essential travel within Australia and subsequent decision by States to close their borders forced the AFL’s hand.

The AFLW season had already been impacted greatly, with the final two rounds of the season cancelled and a new top-eight finals system put in place in the hopes of getting through the season.

But that all came crashing down today with the decision from the AFL.

After the news broke, the Dockers tweeted: “Devastating news for our girls.”

“So proud of everything they've achieved in 2020, we've loved every moment,” the tweet read.

McLachlan said the AFL had a duty to keep all employees and players safe from the escalating virus.

“To say this is the most serious threat to our game in 100 years is an understatement,” he said.

“It is unprecedented in the impact it is having on our game and the wider community, and as a community and as a code, we all need to take the unprecedented and required actions to get through this together.

“I know that everyone involved in our game and our millions of supporters will be impacted by this decision and that many people will suffer significant hardship as are people right across the community but I also know that we all have a responsibility to the community and each other. And we have the will to work collectively to overcome this crisis.”

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