Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has blasted South Australia's health officials for their "ridiculous" request for fans at the Crows-Collingwood game not to touch the ball if it goes into the crowd.
Yesterday afternoon, South Australia's chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, defended the state's decision to allow Collingwood entry to play the Crows while other Victorians are banned from crossing the border due to the growing COVID-19 cluster in Melbourne.
During a press conference Professor Spurrier also made a baffling plea to those set to attend the Adelaide Oval for the game.
"We're looking at the seating at the moment and, of course, we're looking at the ball," Professor Spurrier said.
"I have noticed occasionally it does get kicked into the crowd. We are working through the details of what that will mean, if you are at Adelaide Oval and the ball comes towards you.
"My advice to you is to duck and just do not touch that ball."
As a result of the contradictory statement, South Australia's health officials were openly mocked by AFL pundits on social media.
Cornes didn't hold back in his criticism of the state government's handling of the situation, speaking on radio this morning.
"I think she needed to be advised better yes, but these are the officials that are deciding how we live our lives. How you operate your business, how you can feed your family, how you can pay your bills and they get up there and lose all credibility with comments like that," Cornes told SEN.
"These are the people that shut the borders straight away, that don't allow you to work interstate, that shut your business at the drop of a hat and she's saying go to the footy, but don't let the ball touch you.
"It is one of the most ridiculous things.
"I hope they get up there today and clarify those comments, because we are a laughing stock right now and you saw the reaction to it on social media yesterday."
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Collingwood players and their families are quarantining within their own homes in Melbourne in a somewhat complicated process before they fly out to Adelaide on Saturday, play the Crows and then fly straight back to Victoria that evening.
"We were able to quarantine at home last night with our families and everyone in the household after 5pm last night had to stay in the house and then obviously we're able to come to training this morning," Magpies general manager of football Graham Wright told SEN.
"If your family is able to quarantine for the remainder of today without you, you can return home tonight and quarantine then and then we'd all come together tonight at a hotel tomorrow night after training tomorrow.
"Then obviously we fly to Adelaide. If you're unable to or you've got people in your household unable to quarantine during today, then you're in a hotel tonight and tomorrow night.
"That's basically it and I think we get tested when we arrive in Adelaide on Saturday, play the game Saturday and home Saturday night."
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