Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains says the decision to fly out of Melbourne a day earlier than originally planned is a precaution.

Victoria has recorded 16 local cases of COVID-19 in the past 72 hours, prompting the AFL to relocate some teams – including Sydney, GWS, Essendon and North Melbourne - to Queensland ahead of this weekend’s matches.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to meet Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“Obviously there’s a state of concern around Melbourne, and Victoria with some of the regional cases, that have been reported,” Bains told Gerard Whateley on SEN 1116 this morning.

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Bulldogs Radio | Ameet Bains (July 15th)

Bulldogs C.E.O Ameet Bains spoke to Gerard Whateley on SEN before the team flew out to the Gold Coast ahead of Round 18

“We were always going to the Gold Coast given we’ve got the game against the Suns on Saturday afternoon – those travel plans have just been expedited by 24 hours.

“(Flying out today) is a cautionary exercise – it’s something we’ve been well-versed with, and clearly given last year and the events of earlier this year, something we’ve become very familiar with.

“The text with confirmation of the flight time was sent after 10pm last night – it was a pretty quick turnaround, but we know the environment we’re living in and what’s required.”

At this stage, the Bulldogs are still expected to return to Melbourne following the match.

“All of our communication has been that we will return back to Melbourne as planned on Saturday night, but you have to realise the situations that we’ve faced, and what happened last year,” Bains said.

“I think everyone has a mind to (being concerned the trip will be extended), but at the moment the focus is very much on getting to the Gold Coast and playing that game against the Suns on Saturday afternoon.”