Is the coronavirus pandemic causing the shutdown of the league the biggest AFL controversy of the century?
Over the past 20 years there have been many scandals that sent shockwaves through the league and turned it upside down.
We've taken a look back at the 10 biggest AFL controversies since 2000.
Honourable mentions
Brisbane Lions using IV drips (2001)
Barry Hall's punch on Brent Staker (2008)
Ricky Nixon's 'St Kilda schoolgirl' incident (2011)
Kirk Tippett salary cap breach (2012)
Josh Thomas and Lachlan Keefe's drug ban (2015)
Adelaide Crows Collective Minds pre-season camp (2018)
Jaidyn Stephenson's betting scandal (2019)
But let's continue on with the real stuff...
1. Coronavirus puts the game's future in doubt
Yes - we do believe this is the biggest controversy of the century!
The ongoing 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has put AFL in a position it has never been before. After controversially playing Round 1 in empty stadiums, the league was suspended until at least May 31 and hundreds of staff across all 18 clubs were stood down without pay.
The players were involved in a pay dispute, accepting a 50 per cent cut to their season salaries while the AFL secured a $500 million bank loan to ensure that teams do not need to merge or fold with clubs tightening their belts.
It remains to be seen how much further coronavirus will impact the AFL and whether or not the rest of the season is played at all.
