AFLW reshuffles early rounds of 2021 season amid border restrictions

The AFLW has made several changes to the opening two rounds of its fixtures amid state border restrictions.

Two matches in round one have been changed, with West Coast to host Adelaide in Perth — due to the open Western Australia-South Australia border — and Melbourne to travel to the Gold Coast to take on the Suns.

The Eagles were originally set to travel to the Gold Coast, while the Crows were fixtured to play the Demons at Casey Fields.

Greater Western Sydney’s temporary relocation to Adelaide, which is in place until at least the end of round two, has seen its round-two match adjusted.

The Giants will still open their season against the Dockers at Fremantle Oval on January 31 but will now host West Coast at Adelaide’s Norwood Oval on February 6 in round two.

GWS confirmed the round-two match would nominally be a Giants home match but they will not lose the right to host five home fixtures across NSW and the ACT.

Fremantle was due to play Collingwood away in round two but will instead play Adelaide at Norwood Oval on February 6.

The Magpies will now host Gold Coast that day, while North Melbourne’s clash with St Kilda at Melbourne’s Arden Street has been pushed back to February 7.

“The adjustments made to the first two rounds provides certainty into the early part of the season and allows the competition to remain as adaptable as possible as the season progresses in a constantly changing environment,” AFL head of women’s football Nicole Livingstone said.

“Throughout the planning process, we listened to and worked closely with each stakeholder to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone in the game.

“We openly acknowledge there are unique challenges and recognise the non-football commitments of both AFLW players and staff and through this open dialogue we know the AFLW community remains determined to work through them to achieve a full season.”

AAP