AFL releases full Covid contingency lists

The AFL has released their full list of Covid contingent players that have been nominated by each of the league's 18-clubs.

Each top-up roster is comprised of 20-players currently linked with each of the club's state league sides, with Sydney, GWS, Brisbane and Gold Coast afforded the right to join ranks with standalone VFL clubs Port Melbourne, Coburg, Williamstown, Frankston, Werribee and the Northern Bullants.

As claimed within a statement released by AFL House on Thursday morning, these 360-players can only be called upon in the advent of athletes inside the AFL system being omitted due to health and safety protocols.

Said players will also only be elevated once their respective AFL affiliate has exhausted every possible member of their current senior and rookie listed names.

This contingency is said to have been included so as to not impede the integrity of the AFL competition on the whole or to interrupt respective VFL, SANFL and WAFL competitions.

Speaking on Thursday, AFL General Manager of Football Brad Scott explained the concept and structures in detail.

“Over the last two seasons the AFL has put measures in place to best protect the competition, our clubs, players and umpires. While the ongoing pandemic will continue to challenge us, we remain committed to completing the season for supporters in a way that prioritises the health and safety of the wider community,” Mr Scott said.

“In a national sport, played across many states and territories, we need to be able to adapt, and adapt quickly to the COVID-19 conditions at any one time at locations where home teams are based, or away teams are travelling to. These guidelines help us achieve that while providing potential opportunities for talented players plying their craft in state league competitions to play football at the elite level.

“Through these guidelines, we have worked together with state leagues to ensure minimal impact or disruption to their respective competitions."

Full AFL Covid Contingency Lists as provided by AFL House