Home

Perth Glory’s A-League season fixture further complicated by WA’s border change with South Australia

Nick TaylorThe West Australian
Bruno Fornaroli and Glory have a nightmare stretch to start the season.
Camera IconBruno Fornaroli and Glory have a nightmare stretch to start the season. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Perth Glory’s nightmare start to the A-League season has been thrown into further turmoil with WA slamming shut the South Australian border following recent COVID cases and the elevated threat of the new Omicron variant overseas.

Glory are already criss-crossing the country on a 9000km, four-state, five-game, 33-day road trip but plans have been thrown into disarray by the move.

They opened with the controversial 1-0 loss to Western United at AAMI Park last Friday and must leave Victoria after games on December 5 and 8 against Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City to allow the 14 days needed to be home for Christmas.

Glory are then due to play Brisbane Roar on December 18 but because the Victoria-Queensland border is currently shut they plan to stay in Adelaide before heading to Brisbane.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

They are due to head back to South Australia to play Adelaide on December 23 before arriving home on Christmas Eve.

The Game AFL 2024

But WA’s move to change the border arrangement with SA to “low risk” now means travel from that state is only permitted for approved, doubled-vaccinated people who complete 14 days of self-quarantine and testing.

Glory chief executive Tony Pignata is in urgent talks with WA police, health authorities and A-league bosses.

“It’s a mess. We are juggling a lot of balls at the moment,” Pignata said.

“The first thing we have to ensure is getting out of Melbourne in time to get the 14 days out of Victoria to be allowed home for Christmas.

“The borders between Melbourne and Brisbane are shut until December 17 at the moment so we can’t go there without quarantine.

“If they open earlier we might be able to go there but we have to leave Melbourne by the 9th of December regardless.

“We are not sure whether we will miss the Adelaide game, go straight to Brisbane and stay 14 days out of Melbourne if and when that that border is lifted, or do we just go to Adelaide?”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 26: Perth Glory player gather during the A-League match between Western United and Perth Glory at AAMI Park, on November 26, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Camera IconGlory’s fixture is now uncertain. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Glory are due to fly to Sydney after Christmas for three games in six days but that plan is now in jeopardy.

Premier Mark McGowan said there was uncertainty about the recently-emerged Omicron variant, making it important WA had strong protections in place for States which have relaxed their international borders.

“With little known about the variant, it is important we act with an abundance of caution in dealing with potential spread into WA from overseas travellers arriving in other States,” McGowan said.

“South Australia has also seen an increase in COVID-19 from interstate in recent days. While these are not Omicron cases, they clearly still present a risk to the WA community.

“As such, on the latest health advice, we need to upgrade our border controls with South Australia.”

McGowan said situation in Queensland and Tasmania would be monitored. Both are currently classified as “very low risk”, meaning free travel for vaccinated people is permitted.

Victoria remains at “extreme risk”, New South Wales at “high risk” and the Australian Capital Territory at “medium risk”.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails