THE AFL wishes to advise of updates relating to the fixture for Round 14 of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

The AFL continues to work closely with respective State Governments, all AFL Clubs and other key stakeholders to best manage the relevant border restrictions currently in place, ensuring the health and safety of the community remains paramount.

Updates for Round 14 are as follows:

  • Friday night’s Geelong Cats vs. Western Bulldogs match, fixtured for 7:50pm AEST on June 18, will remain at GMHBA Stadium with no crowds permitted as per current Victorian Government advice. The decision to continue to play this match at GMHBA Stadium was made in close consultation with the home team and was in line with their preference not to move the game.
  • Saturday’s Gold Coast SUNS vs. Port Adelaide match at Metricon Stadium and Saturday night’s GWS GIANTS vs. Carlton match at GIANTS Stadium remain unchanged and will proceed as planned.
  • The North Melbourne vs. Brisbane Lions match, fixtured for 4:35pm AEST on Saturday June 19, has been relocated from Marvel Stadium to Blundstone Arena in Hobart due to a combination of current border restrictions in place and the inability for members and supporters to attend the game in Melbourne. The AFL, together with North Melbourne, have agreed to strict travel arrangements and other protocols as approved by the Tasmanian Government. North Melbourne will fly-in and fly-out for the match on Saturday via charter plane. 
  • The Hawthorn vs. Essendon match, fixtured for 3:20pm AEST on Sunday June 20, has been relocated from the MCG to UTAS Stadium in Launceston. This decision was made following close consultation with each Club to allow for members and supporters in Launceston to attend the game. The AFL, together with Hawthorn and Essendon, have agreed to strict travel arrangements and other protocols as approved by the Tasmanian Government. The two Clubs will fly-in and fly-out for the match on Sunday via charter plane.

AFL Executive General Manager Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld reinforced that the priority of the AFL continues to be the safety and wellbeing of the community and that the league would continue to make decisions guided by the directions and advice of State Governments and health experts. 

“While it is disappointing we are unable to host games in front of crowds in Victoria during Round 14, we hope the situation continues to trend favourably so we can welcome back members and supporters as soon as possible,” Mr Auld said.

“The decision to relocate two games to Hobart and Launceston, was made in close consultation with each respective home team and the Tasmanian Government having regard to the broader connection each home club has in Tasmania and to allow for members and supporters in Tasmania to attend the games.

“The Geelong Cats vs. Western Bulldogs match will continue to be played at GMHBA Stadium with no crowds as per current Victorian Government advice – this decision to continue to play this match at GMHBA Stadium was made in consultation with the home team and was in line with their preference not to move the game.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Victoria and work with the Victorian Government and other state and territory governments, with the fixture remaining a week-to-week proposition for now.

“We thank everyone in the game for their patience and understanding as we worked through finalising arrangements for Round 14. 

“On behalf of the AFL I would like to thank the respective State Governments, each Club, players, the AFLPA, umpires, broadcast partners, venues and all football fans for their continued patience and understanding as we all continue to navigate through the pandemic.”

Information relating to tickets on-sale times for Round 14 will be communicated in on Tuesday, June 15.

ROUND 14

Friday, June 18
Geelong v Western Bulldogs, GMHBA Stadium, 7.50pm AEST

Saturday, June 19
Gold Coast v Port Adelaide, Metricon Stadium, 1.45pm AEST
North Melbourne v Brisbane, Blundstone Arena, 4.35pm AEST
Greater Western Sydney v Carlton, Giants Stadium, 7.25pm AEST

Sunday, June 20
Hawthorn v Essendon, UTAS Stadium, 3.20pm AEST

Byes: Adelaide, Collingwood, Fremantle, Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda, Sydney, West Coast