The AFL has announced fixture changes for Round 2 on the eve of the second week of the season.
Due to Covid outbreaks within the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane camps, the originally scheduled Carlton vs Brisbane Lions and the Geelong Cats vs Western Bulldogs matches will not go ahead.
Instead, Carlton will make the trip down the highway to face the Cats 7:10pm AEDT on Saturday.
AFL General Manager Competition Management Laura Kane said that the league had received requests from the Lions and Bulldogs to have their respective games adjusted due to the outbreaks.
"While COVID-19 continues to impact the competition, the health and welfare of those in our game and the wider community remains the priority," Ms. Kane said.
"In line with the AFLW’s Covid Match Rescheduling Guidelines – which states a team is required to have a minimum 16 primary-listed players and five train-on players available to play – the league received requests from the Brisbane Lions and the Western Bulldogs Football Clubs which detailed multiple players from each respective Club’s AFLW program had entered AFL Health and Safety Protocols this week. As a result, we have updated the Round Two fixture to ensure teams who were able to play this weekend could play.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and will work closely with both clubs on a revised fixture and, together with the AFLPA, support all players impacted.
"We remain committed to delivering a full season in a safe manner anchored in the advice of respective governments and public health officials."
Friday January 14
Richmond vs. Melbourne at Swinburne Centre, 7:10pm AEDT
Saturday January 15
Collingwood vs. St Kilda at Victoria Park, 3:10pm AEDT
Geelong Cats vs. Carlton at GMHBA Stadium, 7:10pm AEDT
Sunday January 16
West Coast Eagles vs. Gold Coast SUNS at VU Whitten Oval, 12:40pm AEDT
Adelaide Crows vs. North Melbourne at Norwood Oval, 2:40pm ACDT
Fremantle vs. GWS GIANTS at VU Whitten Oval, 5:10pm AEDT