Port Adelaide’s players and staff will return to Adelaide Sunday night following its game against GWS Giants at Metricon Stadium.

Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson thanked SA Health for enabling players and staff to return home after leaving Adelaide the day the State went into lockdown on July 20.

“Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our players and staff. Being based back in South Australia is our strong preference and we are pleased that SA Health have confidence in the protocols under which we continue to operate, allowing for our safe return following this Sunday’s game on the Gold Coast” Mr Richardson said.

“The reality is our players and staff have been living under strict AFL protocols and Victorian government quarantine for the last ten days, since arriving in Melbourne. We are very grateful to SA Health for their consideration of our request and subsequent exemption allowing our return.

“Upon our return to Adelaide on Sunday night our players and staff will isolate for 48 hours before having a further COVID test 48 hours after our game. Upon confirmation of negative tests, our players and football staff will continue to operate under strict isolation with exemptions for training at the Club. We will continue our discussions with SA Health in relation to the Round 21 Showdown at Adelaide Oval.”