AFL boss Gillon McLachlan angered by behaviour at league’s Queensland quarantine hub

The swimming pool was overflowing. WAGs were sunbaking everywhere. The bar was packed. After two players had been caught brawling outside a strip club, this scene at a Gold Coast hotel was the final straw for AFL boss Gil McLachlan.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 02: AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan speaks during a press conference announcing to media from the Queensland Quarantine Hub that the 2020 AFL Grand Final will be played at the Gabba on September 02, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Something had to give and when you’re in lockdown that usually means those closest are the more likely to cop it.

It’s fair to say Gillon McLachlanhad been through a couple of the more forgettable days of his long campaign to save the game.

Richmond‘s two strays caught fighting outside a strip club with kebabs in hand had pushed the AFL boss to the edge.

Politicians were now getting involved and the league was under attack.

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So on Saturday when he was wandering around the AFL transition hub at the Mercure Resort on the Gold Coast, he became ‘Grumpy’ Gill.

The swimming pool was overflowing, there were WAGS sun baking all over the place while the bar area was becoming far too popular for his liking.

At a meeting with hub leaders — each club has a representative — Gill launched and made it crystal clear the rules he wanted enforced and that he wouldn‘t think twice about sending more people home.

Gillon McLachlan speaks to media at the AFL’s quarantine hub in Queensland.

As part of the deal with the Queensland government the AFL had agreed to social distancing which clearly wasn‘t happening to the chief’s satisfaction.

A flurry of text messages were then sent around to all 400 people in the two-week quarantine facility, reminding them of the pool and bar etiquette.

The large Oasis Pool was only allowed 80 inside with a maximum of 20 in the water while the smaller Billabong Pool could only have seven frolicking in the water at one time with 20 sun bakers looking on.

The Mercure Resort where the AFL’s quarantine hub is being hosted.

Understandably the bar has been a favourite for club officials and the media, open from 5pm-8pm, with a schooner of Carlton Draught costing $8.

While you‘re only allowed to purchase two drinks at a time we hear this rule hasn’t slowed down some of the thirsty punters.

And even though Gill probably needs a beer more than anyone, he is yet to indulge.

Richmond players Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones were banished from Queensland after getting into a scuffle outside a strip club last week.

The pair were slapped with 10-match bans and the Tigers fined $100,000.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted on Friday: “AFL players caught breaking COVID-19 rules should be sent home. Queensland won’t tolerate it.”

Richmond players have been warned to avoid another disastrous COVID breach.

AFL Players Association chief executive Paul Marsh says he was “taken aback” by Richmond’s declaration that Stack and Coleman-Jones would pay $75,000 of the $100,000 fine for their late-night transgressions.

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Originally published as AFL boss Gillon McLachlan angered by behaviour at league’s Queensland quarantine hub