The AFL has been forced to push back the start time of Richmond’s clash with the Brisbane Lions due to both teams being stuck in traffic jams.
After the clash was moved from the MCG to Metricon Stadium in the Gold Coast due to Melbourne’s COVID-19 outbreak, a pair of accidents caused significant delays with both teams travelling from Brisbane down to the Gold Coast.
Originally scheduled to be a 7:50pm AEST first bounce, the AFL officially moved the start time back by 15 minutes to 8:05pm AEST due to the travel issues just over an hour before the planned start time.
Tigers star Jack Riewoldt’s wait to play his 300th career match was extended by a further 15 minutes (Getty)
“Both clubs are currently commuting from Brisbane to the Gold Coast where they have experienced significant traffic delays,” an AFL statement read.
“The decision to push the game back 15 minutes has been made to provide teams with adequate time to prepare for the match.”
Eventually the Tigers’ cavalry was able to roll into Metricon Stadium at just after 6:30pm AEST.
The Brisbane Lions also experienced the delays, but were able to arrive at the ground approximately 35-40 minutes before Richmond, and experienced their own “anxiety”.
“I was chatting to one of the Lions players on the bus and there was a bit of anxiety because you’ve got your routines, you’ve got your times and everyone goes into the game mode,” Brisbane Lions great Alastair Lynch told Fox Footy.
“There was a bit of stress and anxiety until they found out that the Richmond bus was 40 minutes behind them, so then they relaxed a lot.
“I think [Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan] was pretty happy when he realised [Richmond] were a long way behind.”
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