Port Adelaide and Adelaide will no longer need to travel to the Gold Coast on Sunday, with the South Australian government giving them permission for contact training on Monday.
The decision means they will not have to isolate in a hub in Queensland until the season gets underway and potentially even later as the South Australian government is pushing for a Round 2 Showdown between the two teams in the state.
They will be hoping that by the week of June 11 the state government’s border restrictions get eased slightly, allowing teams to fly in and fly out for games.
Power CEO Keith Thomas said the change was a “welcome surprise”.
“It makes our preparations easier and we are really pleased about it,” Thomas told SEN SA Breakfast.
“There’s no doubt a four-week block on the Gold Coast is far more sustainable than an eight-week block for the players and their families.
“I would love to have the Showdown in Round 2 and bank another week in Adelaide.”
Fremantle and West Coast will still need to start the season in a hub on the Gold Coast given West Australia’s staunch stance on their 14-day quarantine role.