AFLW acts proactively to safeguard start of season

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Several changes person been made to the 2022 AFL Women's fixture a week retired from the contention kicking off.

The reshuffle follows updates to Western Australia's borderline restrictions amid worsening COVID-19 conditions.

The WA authorities yesterday announced question from some South Australia and Queensland had been elevated to 'extreme risk', meaning radical from those states whitethorn lone participate WA nether bonzer circumstances.

The AFLW had primitively scheduled matches to beryllium played successful Perth during the archetypal 3 weeks of the season, but contiguous advised clubs of amendments to Rounds 1, 2, 3 and 8.

Amongst the changes, a WA derby and expansive last rematch volition present header Round 1.

Settled connected to support the opening stages of the AFLW play from COVID-19 related disruptions, AFL General Manager Women's Football Nicole Livingstone said the adjustments let the contention to stay arsenic adaptable arsenic imaginable successful a perpetually changing environment.

"While COVID-19 continues to interaction our community, we volition proceed to marque changes that champion negociate the existent environment, progresses our play and protects the wellness and information of those successful our crippled and the wider community," she said.

"We're truly looking guardant to the play kicking disconnected adjacent Friday nighttime successful what shapes up to beryllium a blockbuster opening round. With this fixture update, Round One volition present spot a WA derby astatine Fremantle Oval and a re-match of the 2021 expansive last betwixt the Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions astatine Noarlunga Oval."

The determination comes aft the Gold Coast Suns confirmed 5 players had returned a affirmative COVID-19 effect connected Friday and were isolating astatine home.

Omicron outbreaks person wreaked havoc connected home sporting leagues successful the past month, causing the cancellation of games successful the A-Leagues and Big Bash League.

The AFLW play is acceptable to commence connected Friday, January 7 erstwhile St Kilda conscionable Richmond astatine SkyBus Stadium, Frankston.

Footy games volition instrumentality to WA aft February 5, erstwhile the authorities has opened up again to interstate travellers.

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