The AFL considered bringing forward its pre-finals bye as south-east Queensland's snap lockdown threw the season into further chaos.
Three games scheduled for Brisbane and Gold Coast on the weekend forced the AFL to hastily relocate clubs to Victoria.
It was the latest major disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic for the AFL, with just three rounds to play before finals.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan admitted it was an "incredible" few hours on Saturday as the Queensland government announced a lockdown at the same time Melbourne were in the air preparing to fly into the Gold Coast for their clash with the Suns at Metricon Stadium.