Canberra Cavalry charged for season opener, take two

Bristling not only with pride in the Cavalry jersey, but also at suggestions they were "cowards". Suggestions, it's believed, the Aces endorsed.

While the two Cavalry-Aces games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday look set to go ahead, it's likely the Cavalry's games against the Sydney Blue Sox on Monday and Tuesday will be postponed with the ABL to make a decision on Christmas Eve.

What happens with the other four Canberra-Sydney games from December 31-January 3 was also up in the air after the ACT government announced they will likely keep border restrictions in place for anyone from greater Sydney until at least New Year's Day.

There's the potential some of those six games could be rescheduled to January 25-26 or the ABL season could be extended by a week to help catch up any back log.

Whatever happens will impact the four postponed Cavalry games against the Perth Heat following the WA government's border closure to NSW.

It meant the Cavalry didn't fly to Perth last week as only about six Canberra players would have been able to play.

There was one suggestion the Cavalry should put their jerseys on the plane and let the Heat fill them with whoever they wanted.

Apparently, the Heat felt Canberra weren't doing enough to play - even though it was the WA government preventing them from going.

Those games could be incorporated in with the four-game series at Narrabundah scheduled for January 7-10.

Cavalry boss Dan Amodio said they owed it to their fans to get as many games played as possible.

"The ABL requested we send our jerseys over for replacement players to wear so they could make it an official Cavalry game," he said.

"We declined that offer because there would be so few of our players over there.

"A Canberra team without our Canberra boys is not a Canberra team. We really wanted to support them, but the idea just wasn't right for us.

"I know some of the teams are looking at us like cowards for not doing it.

"Our guys have such great pride in wearing the orange. It really means something to our leadership group and that's great to see."

While the ACT government stood firm on requiring anyone from greater Sydney to spend two weeks in quarantine when arriving in Canberra, they did open the door for the Cavalry and the Blue Sox to apply for an exemption.

Acting ACT Health Minister Chris Steel said while things could change it was unlikely the restrictions would be eased until next year.

He said exemptions would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

"Those sporting teams that are looking to get an exemption from the rules around quarantine should get in touch with ACT Health to talk about what their needs are and the reasons why an exemption would be required, and also what risk mitigation measures might be put in place to support them," Steel said on Wednesday.

"We'd have to consider that on a case-by-case basis."