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

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation across the country, games have been changed for this weekend with no VFL standalone clubs travelling interstate to play matches to minimise risk.

The AFL continues to work with all State and Territory Governments to best manage the relevant border restrictions ensuring the health and safety of the community remains paramount. The AFL will continue to meet with all parties and plan for all scenarios acting on the advice from government, relevant health departments and medical experts ahead of all matches. We will communicate any updates and provide advice in a timely manner.
 
Updates for Round 14 are as follows:

• Saturday’s Gold Coast SUNS v Footscray Bulldogs match currently fixtured for 12.00pm AEST at Metricon Stadium will be rescheduled. The AFL, together with the Western Bulldogs Football Club, have agreed to keep VFL-listed players in Melbourne and not fly them on the charter with the Club’s AFL program. Both clubs will have a bye in Round 14 and will play this match in Round 17 when both clubs had a scheduled bye.
• Saturday’s Aspley v Williamstown match currently fixtured for 12.00pm AEST at Graham Rd, Brisbane and Saturday’s Southport v Northern Bullantsmatch currently fixtured for 1.30pm AEST at Fankhauser Reserve, Gold Coast will both be rescheduled. Williamstown and Northern Bullants will not travel to Queensland.
• Sunday’s North Melbourne v Essendon match currently fixtured for 2.05pm AEST at Arden St will be relocated to Queensland, with a venue to be determined shortly.
• Aspley will host Southport on Saturday at 12.00pm AEST at Graham Rd, Brisbane.
• Northern Bullants will host Williamstown on Sunday at 1.00pm AEST at Preston City Oval.
• At this stage all other VFL and VFLW games will proceed as scheduled.
• Further impacts to the VFL Fixture will be confirmed post Round 14.

AFL-listed players are permitted to play in the VFL this weekend and will be required to return a negative COVID test result before re-joining AFL programs.

AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State League Competitions Tristan Salter reinforced the priority of the AFL continues to be the health and safety of the whole community.
 
“The VFL community has shown great resilience this season to get through an unprecedented year for football. They have been able to move and adjust when required,” Salter said.
 
“The revised fixture announced on the eve of Round 13 has enabled us to make a quick decision to not travel teams to protect all participants, the community and to keep football going this weekend.”
 
“We thank all clubs, players, families, officials, umpires, broadcast partners and all football fans for their continued patience and understanding as we continue to navigate through the pandemic.”
 

While COVID-19 continues to impact the community, the health and welfare of our players and the community remains the priority and all matches will operate in a safe manner anchored in the advice of respective governments, public health officials and medical experts.
 
We acknowledge this remains a complicated and rapidly evolving situation but as a football industry we will band together to support each other. This is a reminder that we are all part of a broader society with a responsibility to make sure our community remains safe.