MANGOPLAH-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes will sideline their Sydney-based players from the opening round of the AFL Riverina Championship as a safety precaution.
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AFL Southern NSW have confirmed Sydney and Canberra-based recruits will be free to play this Saturday, but will ask clubs to put travelling players through a screening process to ensure they don't live, or have traveled to, any COVID-19 hot spots.
Goannas president Jesse Cunningham said the safety of the community will always be the club's priority when making decisions, and have therefore opted not to consider Sydney players Jack and Harry Collins for selection against Leeton.
Cunningham confirmed the club had decided not to play any Albury or Table Top-based players at all this year, but their Canberra-based players will play this week.
"Our Sydney boys will miss round one as a precaution, and we will reassess leading into round two (on whether they'll be selected) pending health advice and new cases," Cunningham said.
"If there's measures in place and it's safe enough (for them to play), we're happy to do that.
"Canberra's different to Albury. Albury's had recent cases and Canberra hasn't.
"We can't rule them (Sydney players) out for the season, but we can put it on hold for a week and then reassess.
"It's probably going to be a week to week proposition. The club's position and AFL Riverina's position is to ensure the safety of players, supporters and members so we can continue playing."
AFL Southern NSW regional manager Marc Geppert said Canberra and Sydney-based recruits are free to play at this stage, but will ask clubs to be diligent in 'screening' players to ensure they haven't been to 'hot spots' identified by health experts.
Their position on Border-based players, where they strongly recommend participants avoid travelling to and from those regions unless necessary, remains unchanged.
"The Sydney and Canberra players are at this stage OK to proceed," he said.
"I'd encourage clubs to limit those (travelling) players where possible, because it's probably an unnecessary risk at this stage."
AFL Riverina will hold a meeting with clubs on Wednesday night to address any final questions or concerns before the season gets underway.
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