Comments made by South Australian Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier sent social media into overdrive on Wednesday afternoon.
When discussing Collingwood flying in from dirty old Melbourne into Adelaide for their clash with the Crows on Saturday, she suggested those in attendance in the crowd not touch the footy as they would risk picking up COVID from the Magpies players.
“We are looking at the seating at the moment and, of course, we’re looking at the ball, because sometimes the ball – not that I have been to many football games (but) I have noticed occasionally it does get kicked into the crowd,” Spurrier said.
The reaction to the comments from fellow South Australians has been particularly strong.
Kane Cornes savaged the comments, saying it hurt the credibility of the entire state.
“I think she needed to be advised better yes, but these are the officials that are deciding how we live our lives. How you operate your business, how you can feed your family, how you can pay your bills and they get up there and lose all credibility with comments like that,” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.
“These are the people that shut the borders straight away, that don’t allow you to work interstate, that shut your business at the drop of a hat and she’s saying go to the footy, but don’t let the ball touch you.
“It is one of the most ridiculous things. I hope they get up there today and clarify those comments, because we are a laughing stock right now and you saw the reaction to it on social media yesterday.”
Collingwood has been put through the ringer to make the game happen, despite players and staff being constantly tested for the virus.
Pies GM of Football Graham Wright explained what their upcoming week looks like.
“We were able to quarantine at home last night with our families and everyone in the household after 5pm last night had to stay in the house and then obviously we’re able to come to training this morning,” Wright told SEN Breakfast.
“If your family is able to quarantine for the remainder of today without you, you can return home tonight and quarantine then and then we’d all come together tonight at a hotel tomorrow night after training tomorrow.
“Then obviously we fly to Adelaide. If you’re unable to or you’ve got people in your household unable to quarantine during today, then you’re in a hotel tonight and tomorrow night.
“That’s basically it and I think we get tested when we arrive in Adelaide on Saturday, play the game Saturday and home Saturday night.”
Cornes believes situations like this, when compared to the Dreamtime sell-out in Perth and the helpfulness of New South Wales to the AFL, will cost South Australia any shot at a relocated marquee contest like Queen’s Birthday.
“I would absolutely love for it to be here, but is it in the too hard basket?” Cornes said.
“This game, of any on the calendar and the way they have built it … this deserves a crowd.
“But is Adelaide in the too hard basket? And comments Nicola Spurrier made yesterday do us no favours whatsoever when you’re dealing with the AFL.
“They’ll just shift it to the SCG with minimal restrictions. They can fly in, they can do what they want. I would assume it’s going to be at the SCG more likely than the Adelaide Oval.”
Gerard Whateley led the push for the Big Freeze at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, believing it would be the perfect place to take full control of the game.
Gerard believes it would be a mistake for the Melbourne versus Collingwood Big Freeze game to be held at an empty MCG.
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) June 2, 2021
He's petitioning for it to be moved to the Adelaide Oval. pic.twitter.com/0mebHgnq6u