AFL star Sydney Stack fined for COVID-19 quarantine breach in Perth

AFL star Sydney Stack has been hit with a huge fine in court after admitting he flouted COVID-19 quarantine laws.

Sydney Stack plays for Richmond. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

AFL player Sydney Stack has been fined $6000 after pleading guilty to breaching COVID-19 self-quarantine orders, which was discovered when police intervened in a Perth street fight.

Stack, 20, had been allowed to enter Western Australia on compassionate grounds via the G2G Pass system and arrived at Perth Airport from South Australia on December 10.

He was told to self-quarantine for two weeks in Northam, northeast of Perth, instead left that property and stayed at a home in the Perth suburb of Belmont.

Stack then visited the entertainment hub of Northbridge, where he was found fighting in a street on December 19.

He was issued with a move-on notice and officers later realised Stack should have been in self-quarantine.

Sydney Stack on Instagram

Stack was charged with failing to comply with a direction, and on Thursday faced a sentencing hearing in Perth Magistrates Court.

His lawyer Tom Percy said Stack had already spent 21 “difficult” days in custody over Christmas before he was granted bail.

Stack was fined $6000 plus court costs of $130.50.

Magistrate Steven Wilson said general deterrence was a significant sentencing factor.

“To grant a spent conviction, in my view, sends a wrong message,” he said.

AFL star Sydney Stack breached self-quarantine in Western Australia. Picture: 7 News

Stack, who was drafted to the Tigers in 2018, was whacked with a 10-match ban in September after he and teammate Callum Coleman-Jones were involved in a scuffle near a Gold Coast strip club.

Stack later apologised on Instagram, but he missed Richmond’s grand final win due to his suspension.

“I’m very sorry, understand the seriousness of it and can do nothing now but own the consequences,” he wrote.

Sydney Stack was handed a 10-match ban in September. Picture: 10 News First Adelaide

“I’ve let down the AFL, the club I love, my teammates, coaches and staff, its members and the Tiger army.

“I also have let down my family, my friends and all of those who have helped me along the way.

“To those who are supporting me at the moment, a huge thanks. I only hope going forward I can rebuild trust in me again.”

Originally published as AFL star Sydney Stack fined for COVID-19 quarantine breach in Perth