Channel 7 footy journalist Mark Stevens denied entry to Queensland to cover AFL
Channel 7’s chief football reporter was flown up to Queensland in a mad rush to ensure the broadcaster had a man on the ground but he hit a roadblock at the airport. Find out exactly what happened.
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The exodus of AFL teams from Victoria wasn’t just a logistic nightmare for the clubs, it also caused panic in newsrooms across town.
Getting journos into the hubs suddenly became a priority given all of the football news was now going to come out of two states.
Channel 7’s main man Mark Stevens got the nod to head to Queensland where six of the games are being played this weekend.
Everything was running smoothly until Stevens arrived at Brisbane Airport where he ran into some interference.
All travellers from Victoria needed the correct paperwork to proceed with an “Essential Services” letter mandatory.
We’re not sure if Stevens’ forms were in order or he simply got on the wrong side of a grumpy airport official.
Naturally Stevens was less than enthused with being given a red card. A flurry of phone calls followed with even top level government officials being contacted.
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But the airport official refused to budge deeming Stevens too big of a risk to enter their state.
With his tail between his legs Seven’s chief footy reporter didn’t fly back home, instead diverting to Sydney where there is at least some action over the coming days.
Although the network already had that beat covered with his offsider Tom Browne on the ground in the Harbour City.
How to get all the AFL news out is something league headquarters is weighing up.
While zoom press conferences have become the norm with clubs, the league is still working out what it will do with post-match coaches’ press conferences in the hub world.
Given there’s unlikely to be more than one or two journalists on the ground at these games, an alternative way to service the broadcaster and mainstream media back in Victoria is being discussed.
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Originally published as Channel 7 footy journalist Mark Stevens denied entry to Queensland to cover AFL