AFL 2020: Caroline Wilson takes aim at players’ partners, families

Caroline Wilson has issued a blunt reminder to AFL players’ partners that their questionable behaviour could derail the whole season.

Caroline Wilson reminded everyone how precariously the AFL season is poised.

Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has taken a swipe at some partners and families of footy players for putting the season in jeopardy with possible breaches of quarantine rules.

All Victorian teams were moved out of their home state as the COVID-19 crisis worsened. Many have been set up in Queensland hubs, while Perth is also being used.

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There are strict biosecurity measures in place across the league to protect against the spread of coronavirus and ensure the AFL season can continue, after it resumed in June following a lengthy suspension because of the global pandemic.

The AFL is paying for some players’ partners and families to stay with them in hubs, but stressed in a document supplied to clubs it couldn’t provide a “family holiday experience with the ability to move freely in the community” or “an environment that replicates your normal home living arrangements”.

Speaking on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night, Wilson issued a stern reality check to partners and families amid reports some are pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable under the current hub restrictions.

“There is a growing concern emerging at the northern hubs — dare we say it, even suggestions of some bad behaviour,” Wilson said.

“Some of the partners and families of AFL players are emerging from quarantine and trying to live their AFL-sponsored Queensland lives in a manner which could place the entire season at risk.

“May we remind you of the enormous leap of faith the Queensland government has shown by letting so many Victorians into the state as a humanitarian move to help the AFL.

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Queensland is hoping to host this year’s grand final.

“Just because you can’t meet a friend in a cafe or go to Wet’n’Wild or go for a wander along the beach … you can still swim in the surf, you can still sit around the pool, meet a group of friends or family at a jumping castle. Even wander along a coastal path.

“You can do a lot more now than we can do in Victoria. It is a privilege you are there, not a right.

“Some partners are even upset because the AFL has told them they can’t go to the footy, not understanding the hugely logistical problems that this could cause for the AFL.

“It might be tough for you up there (in Queensland), but it’s a lot tougher down here (in Victoria).”

Wilson reported AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan recently reminded club bosses it was each team’s responsibility to ensure players and families were following the rules.

She said it was “disappointing” the league chief executive needed to address that concern given what’s at stake.

“If people break the rules or do stupid things, they could put the whole season in danger,” Wilson said.

“There’s phone call after phone call after phone call to clubs and AFL bosses (from partners) saying, ‘Can we do this? Can we do that?’

“It’s really disappointing.

“It’s very sensitive and the AFL is a little bit disappointed. The fact that the CEO, with everything else he’s having to deal with, is having to tell the clubs, ‘Please try and understand that this is a privilege and not a right’ (is disappointing).”