Why AFL players are more restricted by coronavirus than the average Aussie
The highly anticipated return of AFL is a far cry from a return to business as usual for players, with the game’s stars and their families still bound by strict isolation rules.
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Crazy COVID-19 disguises and hypnotising yabbies are some of the wacky ways AFL stars and their families have survived isolation.
With footy now back, the unprecedented time together has come to an end, but the highly anticipated return to AFL is a far cry from a return to business as usual, with the game’s stars and their families still bound by strict isolation rules.
Brooke Cotchin, Brit Selwood, Hester Brown, Olivia Burke and Monique Fontana are excited to see their partners back playing the game they love, but in order to limit their potential exposure to the virus, they remain more restricted than the average Aussie.
Players may not have any visitors inside their home and must restrict their activities to essential things like going to the supermarket or taking their kids to school. That means no picnics in the park, taking their kids to the playground, surfing, golfing or sitting down in a cafe for a coffee.
Not that any of them are complaining, especially the Victorian teams that have the benefit of staying in state, whereas some interstate teams have had to relocate to allow them to play.
Brooke Cotchin, wife of Tigers captain Trent, says while it was an unexpected treat to have him around at a time of year when he’s usually in full footy mode, they are happy he is returning to competition and are willing to put up with the prolonged restrictions.
“We try our best to explain to the kids that we have to avoid going places such as playgrounds and cafes for a little longer so that Dad is able to continue to work. It is hard for them being so young and you do feel guilty, but it will be extra special when we can enjoy all those little things together again,” Cotchin says.
Kangaroos star Ben Brown’s wife, Hester, says she feels under pressure to be extra careful but it’s a small price to pay under the circumstances.
“I was terrified of the hub idea. I’m a very close person, I suffer from anxiety and I rely heavily on Ben for support, so I’m not sure I could have managed being away from him that long, especially with Aila (their 18-month-old daughter) and my business. My heart really goes out to the WA and SA families going through that now,” she says.
These five footy WAGS open up about their time in isolation, from how they coped with the extra time together and established new routines, to some of the quirky things they did and learned, to how they plan to see out the AFL season under strict restrictions.
HESTER AND BEN BROWN - NORTH MELBOURNE
KIDS: AILA
What did the new iso routine look like?
Ben would always train in the morning while Aila and I read around 100 books. We’d spend lunchtime and the early afternoon together before a walk to the park every afternoon. Aila needs to get out and about and have a run around on the oval in order to tire her out for bedtime, so we loved our daily walks.
Were there any funny moments?
I went to get a COVID-19 test not that long ago. I think I just had a sore throat … but I wanted to be sure. So, we went to the drive-through testing facility at Highpoint. I didn’t realise until we got there that people would be able to see Ben through the car door. And I know it sounds very silly, but unfortunately it’s not that uncommon that people try to take photos or videos of him, anywhere really, because he is quite conspicuous. I was so scared about ‘Does Ben Brown’s wife have coronavirus and is the season over?’ being clickbait the next day that I gave him my hair scrunchie and sunglasses and made him wear them for the 20 minutes in the drive-through testing facility. He looked pretty ridiculous, but it made me feel a bit less stressed.
Did you miss footy?
I did not miss football one bit. I was worried about all the wonderful friends we have who are employed by football clubs … (but) I didn’t miss the anxiety of game day or worrying about Ben being injured or knocked unconscious. But I know Ben loves playing, so I’m sure he missed it a bit.
How does AFL return impact you?
I do feel under pressure to be extra careful and see only very few people. It’s hard telling friends that I can’t see them — or my dad that he can’t come over here to play with Aila. I wish I could go over to the houses of other players’ partners, mostly, so our kids that are so close can spend time together. Obviously, it’s 20,000 times better than hubs though. So, I’ll take it.
How do you feel about not being able to go to the games?
It feels strange knowing I won’t be there. I like to go as much as possible when games are in Melbourne. After Ben was knocked out in 2017 and I rode in the ambulance with him to the hospital, I became even more intent on being at games.
Are you worried at all about Ben contracting the virus?
I don’t think so. They are all having about four showers a day and are almost entirely made up of hand “sani” and soap. Couple that with two COVID-19 tests a week and I think they are pretty safe.
BROOKE COTCHIN AND TRENT COTCHIN - RICHMOND
KIDS: HARPER, MACKENZIE AND PARKER
What was it like for you during iso?
Apart from not being able to see loved ones or enjoy activities and time together away from home, life was relatively normal for us. We spend a lot of time together as a family so it was not too different.
What were the upsides?
It forced us to slow down and appreciate the small things in life. It was so nice to not constantly be in and out of the car going from drop-offs/pick-ups and activities daily. It gave us the chance to enjoy meals together without having to worry about keeping an eye on the clock.
Did you miss footy?
I never thought I would say I would miss football. During season it can feel like your life revolves around football, especially with children. We try and make sure we can do everything possible to ensure Trent can be at his best, which does result in missing out on things such as activities, birthdays or time together like most others would have on a weekend, depending on what day a game falls on. But it really did make me realise how lucky we are and that this chapter in our lives won’t last forever. I am looking forward to watching a few games on the couch with the kids though.
BRIT AND JOEL SELWOOD - GEELONG
What was it like for you during iso?
Life definitely changed for us. We live such busy lives and for the world to completely stop, it was a big adjustment just like it was for everyone else.
What did the new iso routine look like?
We still got up early and did some form of exercise. I tried to join in on a few of Joel’s training programs but I soon realised how unfit I was. We would then spend the afternoon around the house, either homewares shopping for our new house or completing puzzles.
Did you miss footy?
We both really missed footy. I think because we had already been through the off-season, we were so ready for footy to be back.
What was your reaction when you found out footy was coming back?
We were excited but at the same time understood that everything was going to look different, from training to playing.
How is your life continuing to be restricted?
Life is a bit different, I’m going to work as a teacher but obviously Joel is restricted with what we can do. We usually do a lot together, so it has restricted what we can do. We have been going for a lot of long bike rides and getting takeaway coffees — they’re our date day/nights now.
MONIQUE FONTANA AND PATRICK CRIPPS - CARLTON
What was it like during iso?
I spent a lot of time at Pat’s farm up north in WA, where I had a greater understanding of where he grew up and how this has shaped him. Safe to say I learnt to appreciate him more.
What were the upsides?
Pat learnt how to cook, which was definitely the highlight.
What did the new iso routine look like?
We made a decision to go back home to WA to isolate on the farm 5.5 hours north of Perth. We made the choice as this allowed us to be able to get into somewhat of a routine, including exercising and eating clean. We swam, ate, exercised, played board games. I drank wine while Pat found a new love for kombucha.
Were there any funny moments?
Pat taught me one of the finest skills on the farm, which was how to hypnotise a yabby — who knew.
Did you miss footy?
We were grateful for the time we were able to spend together without other commitments. I know of course Pat has missed footy incredibly, but I think it allowed him to learn to relax more, which made me feel more relaxed.
How did your pets respond to having Patrick around more?
Ron the dog thrived during iso — he had his best friend back full time. They travelled around the farm together, set pig traps, rounded up sheep and chased roos. Ron probably gained about 10kg from us both feeding him without realising. I got demoted to sitting in the back of the ute while Ron got to ride shotgun in the front seat.
OLIVIA BURKE AND TOM LYNCH - RICHMOND
What was it like for you during iso?
Isolation for us as a couple was actually quite enjoyable. We looked at this time and said there isn’t ever going to be another time like this in our relationship where we have eight weeks off together and can’t really do much, so let’s make the most of it.
What did the new iso routine look like?
We would get up, walk our dog Gryff to the park and get a coffee. Most days Tom would either have a training program, or a zoom fitness challenge, or a zoom meeting so that would take up the rest of his morning. In the afternoon we would either keep working on house projects we had on the go, or Tom would do some uni work and I would practise piano and then attempt to follow an ambitious recipe to make us something out of the ordinary for dinner.
Did you miss footy?
I missed footy a little bit but to be honest we are never going to have time like this together again, so I just feel grateful for that, and I knew footy would resume as soon as it could.
How did your pets respond to having Tom around more?
Oh my god, our dog Gryff is a real character. One day he is on the couch loving that you’re home, the next day he is upstairs on the bed all day because he doesn’t want a bar of you.
How is your life continuing to be restricted?
We can still pop out for a morning takeaway coffee and walk with Gryff along the Yarra, which is my favourite part of the day, so I’m grateful for that.
How do you feel about not being able to go to the games?
I actually love watching the games at home, and even last year I didn’t go to every game in Melbourne. I love curling up on the couch with Gryff in my PJs and ugg boots with a cuppa and watching the game while staying warm.
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