AFL 2020: Annastacia Palaszczuk calls for Sydney Stack, Callum Coleman-Jones to be kicked out
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has leaned on the AFL to kick Richmond’s strip club brawlers out of the state.
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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk bent over backwards to bring the AFL to Queensland and rescue the 2020 season.
This is how the AFL repays her.
The game was plunged into crisis on Friday when the league confirmed reports the integrity unit is investigating an alleged punch-on out the front of a Gold Coast strip club.
Tigers stars Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones are reported to have been involved in a brawl outside a strip club on Friday morning around 3.30am (AEST).
It comes as Stack took to social media on Friday posting his first message since the scandal erupted.
Stack, 20, and Coleman-Jones, 21, were allegedly evicted from the Hollywood Showgirls gentleman’s club on the Glitter Strip’s Orchard Ave before engaging in a fight just metres from a police station that left them both injured.
Police were called to the incident and released the following statement after fining both players $800.
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Richmond said it was aware of the breach of AFL COVID-19 protocols by two of its players and immediately reported it to the AFL, which has launched an investigation.
Reports later emerged the brawl erupted after Stack visited a kebab shop near the strip club.
There were immediate calls from within the AFL community for Stack and Coleman-Jones to be banned for the rest of the season on Friday afternoon — and Palaszczuk also leaned on the league to send a message to its players that further border and biosecurity breaches will not be tolerated.
“AFL players caught breaking COVID rules should be sent home,” she said in a tweet.
“Queensland won’t tolerate it.
“I know the AFL takes these issues seriously and will take appropriate action.”
Palaszczuk earlier defended the state’s agreement with the AFL for the 2020 grand final to be held at the Gabba in Brisbane for the first time.
“It’s almost as if we’re being singled out because we won it,” she said.
“The economic benefit to Queensland is enormous
“The other parts of the world where there is no sport happening, no business happening.
“This is in Queensland because we are focused on the health response. Our economy is able to do better than in other states.”
If found guilty, the Tigers could be fined up to $100,000 after the club was last month fined $25,000 with a further $25,000 suspended as a result of Brooke Cotchin’s visit to a day spa.
Stack, from Western Australia, has played nine games for Richmond this season but hasn’t featured since a round 13 clash against Essendon in Darwin on August 22.
Coleman-Jones, a South Australian product, hasn’t played a senior game this season.
The Tigers last played against Fremantle on Wednesday night, winning by 27 points to move into the top four.
Despite not playing, both Stack and Coleman-Jones are required to remain inside their team’s isolation bubble.
Players and coaches are forbidden from attending bars and restaurants under strict COVID-19 protocols.
AUSTRALIA REACTS WITH FURY AT RICHMOND BREACH
Premier Palaszczuk was earlier on Friday put under pressure for her decision to lay out the welcome mat for the AFL this season.
Having rescued the league earlier this year by allowing clubs and players to relocate to Queensland when the NSW-Victorian border was shut and having allowed 400 players, staff and family members to enter the state — the lstate leader is under pressure to justify that the AFL’s mass migration has ben in Queensland’s best interest.
Queensland opposition leader Deb Frecklington was seething, and took the chance to score some political points over Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“This is yet another slap in the face for the everyday Australians that have been overlooked by @AnnastaciaMP,” Frecklington wrote on Twitter.
“The Premier rolled out the red carpet for AFL players & their families — we need consistency and compassion, not special deals for sporting stars and celebrities.”
Australian Paralympian Richard Colman tweeted: “When is the @AFL going to get tough on players and teams. Far too many breaches this year when they are crazy lucky to be playing. Time to be sent home!”
Dan Nolan, a reporter for Channel 9’s A Current Affair, added: “Two Richmond players arrested for fighting outside a strip club on the Gold Coast. While their fellow Victorians live under curfew!”
Nine sports reporter Corey Norris wrote: “As it stands, AFL players are allowed to leave their hub to grab a coffee, something to eat, catch a few waves etc.
“But has it got to a stage where they should be contained in their resort unless training or (undergoing) scans. School camp rules, for adults acting like kids.”
Originally published as AFL 2020: Annastacia Palaszczuk calls for Sydney Stack, Callum Coleman-Jones to be kicked out