Fremantle assistant coach Josh Carr charged in WA for three breaches of Covid regulations

A coach and player at the Fremantle Dockers are in trouble for breaching the AFL’s strict stay at home rules.

Fremantle Dockers assistant Josh Carr has been charged by police for breaching quarantine orders.

Fremantle assistant coach Josh Carr has been charged with breaching the WA Government’s quarantine orders after being caught leaving his home in Perth.

Carr, who returned to Perth from the Gold Coast with the team last Sunday was, like all Fremantle players and staff, supposed to start a 14-day home quarantine period on Monday.

But he has been issued with a summons for three alleged breaches stemming from a police visit to his residence on Wednesday, and Carr wasn’t at home.

Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick said Carr was “apologetic and remorseful” but the club was very disappointed by his actions.

Players and staff can only leave home in Perth to travel to and from the club to train. It’s not clear why Carr left home.

“We appreciate and understand the pressures that quarantine measures can place on individuals, however there is no excuse,” Garlick said.

“And while Josh was very apologetic and remorseful, we are frustrated and disappointed by his actions and concerned about the negative impact they could have on the very positive relationships we’ve maintained with WA police, the State Government and the AFL throughout the course of the pandemic.”

Fremantle assistant coach Josh Carr has been charged with breaching the WA Government’s Quarantine Directions Orders.https://t.co/5HqDkGZBeQ

— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) July 30, 2021

Carr will be stood down from his coaching duties while the Dockers work with the AFL integrity department to determine any further action.

First year Fremantle first-year player Brandon Walker also advised the club he had breached the orders by walking his dog a short distance from his home on Tuesday.

The Club then contacted police, who subsequently interviewed the 18-year-old on Wednesday, and he will be issued with an infringement notice for a single breach of the police-issued directions orders.

“He is a young player, and while Brandon’s breach was accidental, it is still disappointing and unacceptable,” Garlick said.

In a statement released on Friday evening, the AFL confirmed it would conduct its own investigation into the matter.

“The Government quarantine orders are in place to best protect the health and well-being of our players and staff, their family and friends and everyone in the wider community,” the AFL’s EGM of football Andrew Dillon said.

“We are in a privileged position to be able to continue to play matches and we must respect that privilege that is afforded to us by the relevant state governments.

“The club will ensure appropriate support is in place for the individuals involved while the circumstances that lead to the charges are investigated by the AFL integrity team.”