AFL: Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan deplores AFL after latest COVID-19 breach

After the Sydney Swans became the 13th club to breach the AFL’s coronavirus protocols, Mark McGowan delivered a scathing response.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has deplored the AFL following the league’s most recent COVID-19 breach.

On Saturday, Sydney Swans young gun Elijah Taylor was suspended for the remainder of the 2020 season after he breached the AFL’s coronavirus protocols.

Taylor’s partner entered the club’s accommodation in Perth, which is not permitted in the AFL’s return to play protocols and Western Australia’s COVID-19 quarantine directions.

The Swans were handed a $50,000 fine, with $25,000 of that amount suspended.

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WA Police are investigating the breach, and McGowan confirmed Taylor and his partner could face charges.

“It’s very disappointing,” McGowan said on Sunday.

“The AFL gave us every assurance this wouldn’t happen. The Swans have let us down, the AFL has let us down. We’re disappointed in both organisations.

“I received an apology from the AFL this morning. I appreciate that but … they promised us this wouldn’t happen and they let us down.”

Meanwhile, McGowan said he was open for Western Australia to host the AFL Grand Final in October, even though Queensland is shaping as the favourite to hold the showcase event.

“If Queensland wants to, good luck to them,” the 53-year-old said.

“We know our stadium is the best and we also know we’re the strongest football state.”

Elijah Taylor during the Sydney Swans training session.

Sydney are the 13th AFL club to have committed a COVID-19 breach during the 2020 premiership.

The Swans released a statement on Saturday evening claiming they are “extremely disappointed” by the incident.

“On Friday night, the club became aware that the partner of one of our players had visited the resort where the team is undertaking a 14-day quarantine period,” the statement read.

“The club immediately notified the AFL and WA Police and has been working with both parties on the necessary steps forward.”

Four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis was adamant Taylor should pay the fine himself, just as Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley did after his infamous tennis match.

“You do the crime, you pay the fine,” Lewis told Fox Footy.

“If you are silly enough to do that, and bring someone in who you clearly know is wrong, you’ve got to front up the bill.

“You’ve got to have your head under a rock to know it’s not right … there’s got to be some sort of accountability from the player.”