AFL and NRL fixtures cancelled as snap lockdown introduced in South East Queensland

A snap lockdown of 11 local government areas in South East Queensland following the emergence of a new cluster of Delta strain COVID-19 cases has seen the cancellation of AFL and NRL fixtures.

The Queensland Government’s three-day lockdown - under their "harshest restrictions yet" - is commencing from 4pm today, and has already impacted a number of NRL and AFL games scheduled to be held this weekend.

Three AFL games scheduled for this weekend have been postponed, along with the NRL’s Saturday fixtures.

The announcement of this latest lockdown came on Saturday morning after six new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the state.

All were the Delta variant, prompting Queensland Chief Health Officer, Jeannette Young to advise “there will be no football matches … no community sport, no professional sport, nothing for the next three days. Starting as of 4pm today."

In the AFL, Gold Coast and Melbourne were due to play on Saturday afternoon at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, while Essendon and Sydney were scheduled to meet at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The NRL followed suit soon after by calling off its Saturday matches in Brisbane and Rockhampton - the Rabbitohs against the Dragons, the Knights versus the Raiders and the Storm against the Panthers.

Sunday's two Queensland-based NRL fixtures are also in doubt, with the NRL looking for ways for them to proceed.

In a statement, it advised "the NRL is continuing discussions with the Queensland Government to possibly play matches tomorrow

"All players will remain on Level 4 Biosecurity Protocols and comply with all Queensland Public Health orders to keep the local community safe."

The lockdown will affect both codes as they move towards their finals series.

Super Netball had a scheduled weekend off, but may be impacted if the lockdown lasts.

Aquatic centres, gyms, cinemas, hairdressers, entertainment centres and places of worship will all be closed during the lockdown.

The lockdown announcement has cast doubt over whether Brisbane's long-awaited Royal Queensland Show will go ahead.

The Ekka is scheduled to run from Friday 6th to Sunday 15th August.

The 11 local government areas affected by the latest lockdown are: of Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim.

Click here to view the latest statistics from Queensland Health.