Melbourne CEO Gary Pert has confirmed the Demons have implemented a curfew on players but downplayed the measure as a “sensible thing.”
The Age’s Caroline Wilson told Footy Classified on Wednesday night that Melbourne players had been told to return to their Joondalup resort by 9pm each night.
"Alan Richardson, the Head of Football, has basically said we want you all back at the Joondalup resort every night by 9 pm and we'd rather you all eat dinner together at the resort,” she said.
Pert confirmed the report to SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning, detailing the reasons behind the strict initiative.
“There’s been a bit of talk about it, I think it’s just a sensible thing,” he said.
“It’s just a reminder that we’ve come over to Perth to take the cup back home, we’re here to do a job.
“Yes, we’ve got a bit more flexibility because we’re out of isolation so we can move around during the day, but let’s just be sensible and come back and have our meals here at night and sleep in our rooms.
“We’ve got some Perth players so if they want to spend time with their families for dinner then great, but again everyone back at the resort (by 9pm).
The former Fitzroy and Collingwood star said players have taken to the curfew well, and everyone at the club is being “reasonable."
“It hasn’t been a big deal at all,” he said.
“It’s just ‘boys, let’s make sure we’re back it that we’re all back here at 9.' There are no punishments, no one’s been upset by it, we’re not sitting at the doors counting who’s in the rooms, everyone’s been very reasonable about it.
“If someone comes back at five past nine (at night) we’re not going to worry about that.”
Melbourne are hoping to break a 57-year premiership drought when they take on the Bulldogs on September 25.