AFL reportedly considering hubs and "footy frenzy" as COVID threat looms By 2021-06-27T16:10+10:00 The AFL is reportedly considering hubs and a condensed fixture as COVID cases spring up across Australia. Sydney and GWS are already based in a Melbourne hub due to NSW's ongoing outbreak, while the WA government banned crowds at Optus Stadium today due to a COVID case being identified in Perth. With the virus again causing the AFL significant issues, former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire believes a hub in Melbourne could be a viable option. “Let’s be the war cabinet for a minute here,” McGuire said.