AFL plans return to normality for 2022 season

AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan is expecting League’s 2022 season to be less affected by shutdowns and lockouts than its past two editions, planning to keep fixtures as scheduled even if clubs are affected by COVID-19.

With all players and staff now required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, which they weren't during the heavily impacted 2020 and 2021 seasons, McLachlan is confident clubs will not have to relocate interstate for long periods, like they have been forced to do in the previous two seasons, and bulk fixture changes will be avoided.

Vowing that the League will "play on", McLachlan told Melbourne radio-station 3AW "we've shown we can do that (play in hubs or bubbles) but we're planning on playing the games as fixtured.

"Teams if they're losing players will be able to cope with them, we're going to play on.

"This is living with COVID, in our mindset, in year three.

"We want our supporters to know that they can plan this year to come to games, buy their tickets, get organised and come to the footy and enjoy it with their family and friends."

As reported last week, the AFL spent $76 million during the past two seasons to keep its competition running during the pandemic.

Able to host capacity crowds across Victoria, up to 100,000 fans will be allowed at the MCG when the season begins on 16th March, with premiers Melbourne hosting the Western Bulldogs in a rematch of last year's Grand Final.

The AFL has also announced a price freeze on general admission tickets for all matches at the MCG and Marvel Stadium this season.