Concerns AFL’s Queensland hubs will become schoolies for adults as frustration grows over petty requests
The AFLPA has angrily responded to accusations players and their partners are making petty requests after one AFL champion raised concerns the league’s Queensland hub will turn into schoolies for grown-ups later in the season.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The AFL players’ union has denied players and WAGS are guilty of unfair demands in hubs including asking for walls to be moved in rooms and clubs to pay for their online shopping bills.
AFLPA boss Paul Marsh told the Herald Sun players had unfairly been maligned, with some WAGs feeling they were unwanted in hubs given recent reporting.
The AFL has been increasingly bemused by the requests of senior AFL players in the hubs for extra care and even remodelling of their apartments.
But amid reports Richmond is the worst offender, Marsh said families deserved support that includes nannies and tutors.
Watch Footy LIVE & On-Demand Every Day from July 29 – August 17 with Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
AFL legend Jon Brown has urged the league to penalise individual players for COVID breaches rather than clubs as worries build about Queensland hubs turning into grown-up schoolies for non-finals teams.
Former Port Adelaide champion Warren Tredrea said players needed to “grow up” and gain a sense of perspective.
The Herald Sun reported growing unrest at high-maintenance WAGS in hubs this week as 410 family members jetted into Queensland last Thursday.
It is understood some senior players with complaints about a lack of support including babysitting and tutoring have contacted senior AFL members directly to lodge their complaints.
But the league is torn between their gratitude at the players for moving states to keep the game afloat and frustration at the small-mindedness involved.
Marsh told the Herald Sun on Thursday night players were only asking for help when it was needed.
“We are bemused by the coverage of the issue and we believe what is being presented as fact is greatly and unfairly exaggerated,” he said.
“When they entered hubs the AFL players were given assurances they and their families would have appropriate support through their period away from home.
“And that time away from home was initially supposed to be 32 days and now could be up to 15 weeks if players get through to a Grand Final.
“I think there are families feeling as though they are almost not wanted up there by some reporting. Everyone needs to take a step back here. They want the season to go ahead like the rest of us and they are doing an incredible job.”
Brown told Fox Footy he believed the AFL needed to ensure players knew exactly what punishment they would be handed if they transgressed.
“The “holidays hubs”, it is a real issue and I am sure it will become more of an issue. Personal responsibility has to be taken,” he said.
“I think the AFL will start moving towards that so the person involved has to take responsibility and you might start to see people getting sent home,” he said.
Tredrea told Channel 9’s online football show ‘Talk of the Town’ players complaining over clubs not picking up online shopping bills was petty.
“They’re the first to put their hands up and whinge and want extra. I mean what are they paying for at the moment? They’re paying for their mortgages and that’s it. They’re not paying for the cost of living. They’re actually able to still get paid 50 per cent of their salary and it looks like, I’m hearing, they might not even be deducted next year if we can get through this,” Tredrea said.
“Football season’s going on, yes they’re keeping everyone involved, but they’re keeping themselves involved too. I think as footballers, you lose perspective very quickly on how tough life is. You might’ve dropped from $800,000 to $400,000 – well go and have a look and walk the streets of Melbourne at the moment, look at the unemployment queues and Centrelink. Good luck and grow up.”
MORE NEWS:
Richmond romance between Sydney Stack and Monique Conti appears to be over
Midweek Tackle: Mark Robinson’s likes and dislikes from Round 10 of the AFL season
AFL 2020: Melbourne defeat Adelaide as Max Gawn reveals he overcame injury to play