Magpies coach Nathan Buckley costs club $50k fine in AFL virus rules breach for tennis match

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has cost the Magpies a $50,000 fine for breaching the AFL’s coronavirus protocols.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley in July in Sydney. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has cost the Magpies a $50,000 fine for breaching the AFL’s coronavirus protocols by playing tennis with a former Australian Open quarter finalist.

The Magpies became the fifth club in two days to be issued with a heavy sanction for a breach of rules designed to minimise the risk of a COVID-19 infection.

Buckley and assistant coach Brenton Sanderson played a doubles match in Perth against Australian Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik and another party on Friday in Perth.

It was only later they realised they had breached the AFL’s protocols by playing with someone outside the Magpies “bubble”.

Buckley apologised via a statement issued by Collingwood.

“At the time, we believed we had followed and adhered to the protocols as required but, after returning to the hotel and re-addressing the circumstances, it became crystal-clear that we had breached the current AFL protocols,” he said.

“The competition is asking its constituents to make great sacrifices for the show to go on and we have all accepted these for the long-term future of the industry and the privilege of participating within it.

“In regards to the financial sanctions handed down, Brenton and I have committed to meet this,’’ Buckley said. “We both accept responsibility for our actions and are accountable for the outcomes of those decisions, good or bad.”

“The members and supporters that underpin the club need to know that their financial and emotional investments directly assist our aspirations on field and will continue to do so.”

Half of the penalty is suspended and will be triggered if there is another breach of the league’s COVID-19 guidelines.

Buckley and Sanderson have asked to pay the live aspect of the fine, which effectively equates to a $12,500 penalty each.

It follows prior breaches by vice-captain Steele Sidebottom and Lynden Dunn.

Sidebottom received a four-match ban for several breaches of rules when found partially clothed in the Melbourne suburb of Williamstown after a heavy night drinking.

The breach by Buckley and Sanderson occurred on the same day Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said any parties in AFL hubs who breached rules should be sent home given the threat posed to the competition proceeding.

AFL legal counsel Andrew Dillon said the Collingwood coaches were forthcoming in self-reporting the breach.

Tennis is an approved exercise activity but only if played with approved parties.

“Notwithstanding the inadvertent nature of this breach, it doesn’t excuse the responsibility to abide by the protocols,” he said.

Hawthorn was fined $50,000, with half the penalty suspended, on Friday.

North Melbourne, Carlton and Richmond were issued with $45,000 fines, with $25,000 suspended for the remainder of the season.

Collingwood will play Fremantle on Sunday night in Perth before departing for Queensland to join another hub.

The Magpies currently sit ninth on the ladder.