AFL Rd 2 - Collingwood v Richmond
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 11: A general view prior to the round 2 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 11, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Victoria will go into its fourth lockdown from midnight tonight after the Department of Health confirmed 12 new COVID-19 cases, inadvertently affecting the AFL season.

It has emerged the state will enter a Victoria will enter a seven-day circuit-breaker lockdown from midnight tonight until June 4.

Tomorrow night's blockbuster clash between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs has been thrown into jeopardy amid reports that a Demons player visited a COVID exposure site.

It is believed that the unnamed player visited a Tier 1 exposure site, which would result in a 14-day quarantine regardless of test result.

The situation has thrown Round 11 into chaos, with Fox Sports reporting that clubs have been told there will be no crowds at AFL games in Victoria this weekend.

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino has confirmed that approved major events will continue in the state during the lockdown.

Fox Sports' Tom Morris yesterday reported that the Suns-Hawks clash in Darwin will be postponed, while moving it to Sydney remains on the cards. However, the Herald Sun's Jon Ralph claims that Gold Coast are adamant the game will go ahead, with Metricon Stadium being the fallback venue if Northern Terriroty doesn't grant an exemption.

Richmond's clash against Adelaide could also be relocated from the MCG To Giants Stadium as the AFL scrambles to keep this weekend's games afloat.

Essendon and Carlton already flew out of Melbourne ahead of their away clashes against West Coast and Sydney respectively, while the Tigers are expected to exit the state at 4pm on Thursday.

Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson said on Footy Classified on Wednesday night that mini hubs are a possibility moving forward.

“Today the CEOs were all told that hubs are very much back on the agenda. They are looking at hubs in New South Wales and Queensland, but Tasmania’s role is intriguing,” Wilson said.

“Colin Carter doing that big report on behalf of the AFL. He’s been over there anyway.

“They’re trying to get a team in Tasmania, this is the perfect opportunity for Tasmania to showcase what a wonderful place they are to host AFL footy.”

There is the potential for all Victorian teams to depart the state on Thursday, with a seven-day snap lockdown reportedly looming.

Government officials held discussions late last night and remain in talks today to determine the length of the proposed lockdown.

It comes as the list of COVID exposure sites in Melbourne continues to grow, with almost 80 venues now on alert.