AFL season postponed after only one round

The immediate future for several Great Southern footballers is unknown after the AFL announced on Sunday that it would immediately suspend the 2020 season and conclude the NAB AFL women's season as a result of the continuing spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Five Great Southern players took to the field in the opening round of the men’s competition in locked out venues before the announcement was made on Sunday afternoon just before North Albany’s Jeremy McGovern was about to take to the field for the West Coast Eagles against Melbourne.

That match will be the last AFL game at least until the end of May.

Jeremy McGovern was joined in one of strangest rounds of football in history by younger brother Mitch, also from North Albany, while Railways’ Jordan Clark, Lake Grace’s Nat Fyfe and Pingaring’s Liam Baker also played.

Fyfe continued on his brilliant Brownlow Medal form racking up 26 disposals, four marks and four tackles to be named best for the Fremantle Dockers as his side fell narrowly to Essendon by six points.

Premiership Tiger Liam Baker impressed in the opening game of the 2020 season on Thursday night against Carlton as he collected 16 touches to go with three marks and two tackles, relishing his new role in defence.

Mitch McGovern kicked 1.1 from seven possessions along with four marks in Carlton’s 24-point loss to the reigning premiers.

Railways junior Jordan Clark was solid for Geelong on Saturday night against Great Western Sydney racking up 13 touches to go with four marks in his first senior game since a season ending elbow injury late last year.

Jeremy McGovern took three marks to go with 12 disposals and three tackles as the Eagles ended round one with a classy 27-point win over Melbourne.

The AFL will review the their stance on holding the season by the end of April to determine whether a further suspension period is required.