AFL 2020: Fines handed to Richmond, North Melbourne, Carlton for breaches

The AFL has handed out fines of more than $180,000 to four clubs, including an extraordinary fine for players who wanted some chips.

The Hawks copped $50k for some chips.

The AFL has come down hard on four clubs for breaches of the game’s strict coronavirus protocols inside the Queensland lockdown.

The AFL announced on Friday evening Richmond, Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Carlton have been hit with combined fines totalling more than $180,000.

Hawthorn received the heaviest whack with the club hit with a $50,000 fine, while the Tigers ($45,000), Blues ($45,000) and Kangaroos ($45,000) were also punished.

The four clubs each have $25,000 of their financial punishments suspended, pending any further breaches.

It was reported on Friday the Hawks were seen to be the most serious case by the AFL because some players — who were not selected last week — went to get some chips from a vendor inside the SCG during their loss to the Swans in Sydney.

Footy reporters Sam Edmund, Jon Ralph and Tom Morris all tweeted the news that the Hawks players broke the protocols despite being escorted by security when they went to find some chips.

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“We are incredibly disappointed that we have breached the AFL protocols,” Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett confirmed in a statement.

“These protocols have been clearly outlined to all clubs and players, and we make no excuse for our breach.

“We expect much more of our players and the club, and we take full responsibility for the breach in question and accept the sanction which has been handed down.

“On behalf of the club, I would like to apologise to the AFL, all clubs, our Hawthorn members and the broader community for stepping outside of the protocols, putting the game at risk and bringing our club into disrepute.”

North Melbourne was the first club to respond to the AFL’s announcement after reports claimed on Thursday the Roos were less than happy about the confusing league directions that resulted in the club breaching the biosecurity protocols that have allowed the 2020 season to continue in the Queensland bubble.

“The club accepts there needs to be strict adherence to the RTP Protocols, and appreciates the importance of the rules that are in place,” the North Melbourne statement claimed.

North Melbourne says it was just following the league’s advice.

“Although the club believed it was operating with the full approval of the AFL and strongly suggests a communication breakdown is at fault, it accepts the decision that’s been handed down.

“The club will make no further comment in relation to the sanction.”

The Herald Sun first reported the dispute between the league and the Kangaroos with the club claiming the league first signed off on the club’s move to bus the wives and partners of players to the club’s recent game at the Gabba in Brisbane.

It also emerged on Thursday that the partners of players inside the hub were also the source for the fines handed down to the Tigers and Blues.

The Blues made a blue.

The partner of a Carlton player is reported to have dropped the family’s kids to their grandparents’ on the Gold Coast before they were unknowingly treated to a day at a theme park.

The partner of a Richmond player was also found to have breached the protocols when she was busted posting an image of herself visiting a day spa.