SATURDAY’s game between Port Adelaide and Sydney will now be a twilight encounter after a COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales forced the AFL to change the timing.

The game will take place at Adelaide Oval from 4:05pm instead of the previously fixtured 7:10pm timeslot.

This will allow the Swans to fly out of Adelaide immediately after the game and return to Sydney before the flight curfews in each city.

Port Adelaide chief executive officer Matthew Richardson says the club understands the reason for the change.

“We understand the need to shift the game to an earlier timeslot will impact our people, particularly given the late notice and the impact this has on people’s plans, but we have all become agile around doing whatever is required in order for the season to proceed,” he said.

“As a club, we recognise that the health and safety of players, coaches, staff and the wider community is the absolute priority and it is important that the AFL mitigates any risk related to the spread of COVID-19.”