Port Adelaide will travel to Victoria this evening via a charter flight ahead of its Round 16 game vs Hawthorn.

The game will proceed as scheduled at Marvel Stadium at 7:40pm AEST this Saturday 3 July.

Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson says the club is flying out of Adelaide this afternoon at the direction of the AFL.

“Players, coaches and staff are taking a chartered flight to Melbourne this evening. We appreciate the need to do whatever is required to minimise risk for the competition,” Mr Richardson said.

“We also have great confidence in SA Health and the South Australian Government and the way they have managed our state through this pandemic. SA Health have done a remarkable job and the South Australian Government have been willing to work with the AFL and all other jurisdictions to provide the necessary protocols and exemptions for teams to fly in and fly out and provide football fans in South Australia with a relatively normal AFL season so far.

“We are hopeful this is only a short term issue and we can get back to South Australia after this weekend’s game and prepare for our next home game in Round 17 vs Melbourne at Adelaide Oval as originally planned.”