The Western Bulldogs have taken measures to protect players from coronavirus at Wednesday night’s season launch.

The Dogs confirmed to foxfooty.com.au that players will not arrive until 8pm and therefore won’t be available to mingle with fans and sponsors.

They were originally due to present at Crown by 6.30pm, but advice from experts has led to the Dogs taking a cautious approach.

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Round 18

Players will still participate in the jumper presentation and interviews on stage, but it will be a scaled back event for the Bulldogs.

Speaking on SEN earlier on Wednesday, club chief executive Ameet Bains forecast a slightly altered event.

“We have our season launch tonight and had over 850 confirmed attendees,” Bains said.

Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains (right). Source: News Corp Australia

“We took the step of writing to everyone a couple of days ago to essentially request those who have travelled overseas in the past 14 days or those who have experienced cold or flu-like symptoms to not attend.

“They will receive a full refund and we’ve had 30 people take up that offer and won’t be attending.

“We will have a more streamlined event for our players to attend and do what they need to do as part of the season launch but limit their need to stay at the event.”

Meanwhile, Collingwood wrote to members in the same way the Dogs did and advised anyone who had been overseas or who was not feeling well to not come. Those who took up the offer received a refund.

Players and fans will also stay separate throughout the function as much as possible.

The same applied at St Kilda, which is having a comparatively lower key season launch on Wednesday night but has taken provisions to make sure players are protected from possible infection.

The AFL has been monitoring the situation closely and experts have been in contact with club doctors this week.

It’s understood government authorities have told the AFL Round 1 should proceed as planned, but from the following weekend empty stadiums are likely to become a distinct reality.

Around the league, all in-person player appearances are in danger of being scrapped or at least scaled back, according to a club source, while community and school visits are likely to be postponed.

Media interviews and sponsorship opportunities are also being evaluated at AFL House as the coronavirus worsens both locally and internationally.