SATURDAY'S qualifying final between Brisbane and Collingwood has been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Magpies.

The Pies have fallen below the minimum player numbers needed to field a side under the AFLW's COVID Match Rescheduling Guidelines (16 primary-listed players and five train-ons) due to a combination of infections, close contact isolations, long-term injuries and suspension.

The AFL is now working to re-schedule the game, which was scheduled to be played at the Gabba at 3.10pm AEST on Saturday. 

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AFL competition management manager Laura Kane said the League had received a request from Collingwood during the week which detailed multiple players from their program were currently in AFL health and safety protocols

"It has been determined Collingwood would not be able to participate in a match this weekend," Kane said.

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Casey's crunching high bump lands her in the book

Sophie Casey is reported for a high bump on Tayla Stahl as they attacked a loose ball

"The health and safety of all members of the Collingwood AFLW program remains the priority and we will continue to work closely with both clubs as we commence the 2022 NAB AFLW finals series." 

North Melbourne will still host Fremantle on Saturday at Arden Street in the other qualifying final, with Adelaide and Melbourne awaiting the winning sides in the preliminary finals.

In addition to players in COVID health and safety protocols, key Magpies Brianna Davey and Brit Bonnici are sidelined with ACL injuries, Olivia Meagher has been dealing with an ongoing concussion issue, while Sophie Casey was suspended for one match following a bump on Richmond's Tayla Stahl.

Coach Steve Symonds' weekly media conference was postponed on Wednesday morning as positive cases began to mount, and by Wednesday afternoon, the decision was made to postpone the game.

There have been several games postponed, cancelled or rearranged over the 2022 NAB AFLW season, but the last couple of weeks have been relatively straightforward as case numbers drop around the country.

Collingwood's opponent, Brisbane, has been through its own scheduling headache, playing four games in 15 games this season to make up matches after its own COVID outbreak in early February.

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All tickets purchased for the double-header at the Gabba featuring Brisbane v Collingwood will remain valid for the men's match between the Lions and Port Adelaide on Saturday, March 19.

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