Relevant events for the week Wednesday 18 March 2020 - Tuesday 24 March 2020 (Prev|Next)
Wednesday 18 March[]
After days of speculation, the AFL confirmed that Round 1 would go ahead. The league also announced that the AFLW season would forego the final two rounds and move immediately into finals, ending the AFLW Eagles' inaugural campaign early.
Thursday 19 March[]
West Coast named a near full-strength team to play Melbourne, including star recruit Tim Kelly. Young ruck Bailey Williams was in the mix for a debut after being named on an extended bench.
Richmond defeated Carlton in a surreal season-opener in front of an empty MCG.
Friday 20 March[]
Williams missed out on selection when squads were trimmed, named as an emergency alongside premiership players Will Schofield and Mark Hutchings and forward Jake Waterman. Tom Hickey was selected ahead of Williams to partner Nic Naitanui, while Jackson Nelson was preferred over Schofield and utility Brendon Ah Chee beat out Hutchings and Waterman for a spot.
Collingwood thumped Western Bulldogs.
Saturday 21 March[]
Essendon held off Fremantle, Sydney won a thriller over Adelaide, Port Adelaide thrashed Gold Coast and GWS Giants beat Geelong.
Sunday 22 March[]
West Coast defeated Melbourne by 27 point at Perth Stadium, in the club's season-opener played behind closed doors. Andrew Gaff led the way with 30 touches and a goal, while new skipper Luke Shuey had 27 possessions. Prior to the match, the AFL announced that the season would be postponed indefinitely.
North Melbourne narrowly defeated St Kilda and Hawthorn beat Brisbane.
Monday 9 March[]
As the ongoing pandemic situation continued to deteriorate, the AFL announced that the season would be reduced to 17 games, with each side playing each other once. With the situation remaining fluid, a fixture was not announced.
Tuesday 10 March[]
West Coast released injury news for the men's and women's team. Kelly's season was over with a medial ligament injury, although she avoided the dreaded ACL, although in better news Caulfield (knee soreness) and late withdrawals Sophie McDonald (ankle) and Maddy Collier (corked hip) were expected to be available for the next game.
For the men's team, Josh Kennedy (elbow), Jack Darling (cheekbone), Jeremy McGovern (Achilles), Liam Duggan (sprained thumb) and Bailey Williams (hamstring tightness) were in the mix to play in Round 1, should it go ahead.