Gerard Whateley says it’s a “terrible” idea for the Queensland government to allow AFL players to holiday in the state once their respective seasons conclude in the coming weeks.
His comments come as the AFL Players’ Association and the AFL are locked in talks about mitigating post-season behavioural issues following Richmond pair Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones’ COVID protocol breach last week.
SEN’s Chief Sports Reporter Sam Edmund reported that players could be asked to pay a bond before going on holiday in Queensland and Whateley said he was “amazed” the local government was poised to allow players to stay in the state after the season ends.
“I think that’s a terrible idea,” Whateley said on AFL Nation.
“I’m amazed the Queensland government is going to extend that luxury (to holiday) and I’ve been a players man the whole way through this.
“I think players should be out (of the state) within 24 hours of their season concluding, everyone would like to holiday in Queensland at the moment but it’s just not a possibility for a lot of us.
“The downside, which is so tangible and predictable, why would you open that as a possibility – I think there should be an edict that within 24 hours of your last game you’re required to go to your home state."
Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis was hopeful players would behave themselves, saying that all it took was one high-profile post-season incident to tarnish the entire sport.
“You just hope that everyone behaves,” he said,
“If everyone behaves themselves and respects the state and the opportunity they have (then it should be fine) but all it takes for one person to stuff it up for everyone to hurt.”