Australia sportAustralian Associated Press
Sat 31 Jul 2021 04.49 BST
Matches in both the AFL and NRL have been postponed as southeast Queensland prepares to enter a snap three-day COVID lockdown.
The Super Netball competition, relocated entirely to south-east Queensland for its remaining rounds, is also facing issues with three games scheduled for Monday and Tuesday that will have to be rescheduled.
Covid Australia live news update: NSW reports 210 cases; Queensland announces snap lockdown of 11 LGAs after six new infections
Saturdays AFL games between Gold Coast and Melbourne and Essendons clash with Sydney at the Gabba have been deferred, along with Sundays game between GWS and Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium.
The NRL will reschedule St George Illawarras clash with South Sydney that was to have been played in Rockhampton on Saturday at 3pm, but is yet to make a call on the remainder of their fixtures this weekend, including Saturdays double-header at Brisbanes Suncorp Stadium.
Sundays AFL clash between Hawthorn and Brisbane in Launceston will go ahead as scheduled with the Lions having flown out of Queensland on Saturday ahead of the lockdown.
The NRLs hopes of keeping round 20 alive look slim, however, with Queensland chief health officer Jeanette Young adamant there would be no sporting events in the 11 affected local government areas during the period of the lockdown.
No community sport, no professional sport, nothing for the next three days, Young said.
In response to the lockdown decision, the NRL has placed all 16 clubs on level-four biosecurity protocols with players to return to team hotels and stay there until further notice.
Options include moving matches to Townsville and other regional areas, provided the teams have not been based in the Brisbane hub.
Matches could also be moved interstate if their borders are open to Queensland, with the ACT shaping as a potential option.
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