Fremantle are hopeful of playing their round 16 clash against Carlton in Launceston or GMHBA Stadium, according to CEO Simon Garlick.
The Club headed to Melbourne on Tuesday amid the current lockdown situation in the Perth and Peel region in a bid to keep the season rolling.
While it was a blow to lose home ground advantage at Optus Stadium against Carlton, Garlick said he was also reluctant to give the Blues the upper hand and play the game in Melbourne.
“It will be either Launceston or GMHBA Stadium in Geelong. We’re just working out some of the details and logistics around that,” Garlick told SEN.
“Personally, I like the potential to go down to Tasmania. We’re playing there the following weekend (against Hawthorn), it might sound silly but it’s something that sits uncomfortably with me is the Blues getting out of their beds and driving to the MCG or Marvel when it’s our home game.”
No matter where the game is played, Garlick said the playing group had the belief they can get the result.
“In this environment, you’re required to have an ‘anywhere, anytime’ approach, and that’s the way we’re looking at it,” Garlick said.
“The guys are starting to build a bit of decent form and there’s a fair bit of connection in the group and enthusiasm to play together.
“In reality, wherever it goes, we’ll be fine. The two that are most likely (Launceston or GMHBA Stadium) is what we’re most comfortable with.
Garlick said Fremantle was understanding of the AFL’s decision to move the fixture.
“I’m certainly very much in the belief of the greater good and we just have to work through situation by situation,” Garlick said.
“It’s just a really difficult situation all round. From that sense, we’re wanting to do everything that we’re required to do. It’s our small part as one of 18 franchises within the competition to keep it going.”
Garlick said he was confident WA could get on top of the current Covid-19 situation quickly, opening up the possibility to return home for their round 18 clash against Geelong at Optus Stadium.
“Clearly we’d like to be (in the Eastern states) for the least time as possible and the AFL are on the record wanting to avoid anything longer than three to four week hub situations,” Garlick said.
“WA has a record of getting on top of these things quickly. It seems like the situation in Victoria, touch wood, is going reasonably well.
“Let’s hope that we can head back to WA after the Hawthorn game the weekend after next.”
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