The AFL reportedly tried to silence WAGs on social media last season by imposing a set of rules on players and their wives living in the ‘transitional’ Covid hub.
An email was sent to all the wives and girlfriends last year, demanding they follow the guidelines or face being ejected from the base, reports The Australian.
The rules included the responsible consumption of alcohol, not having nannies on site and not posting ‘negative’ content about the league on social media.
Restrictions: The AFL reportedly tried to silence WAGs on social media last season by imposing a set of rules on players and their wives living in the ‘transitional’ Covid hub. Pictured: Tayla Damir, the fiancée of Richmond player Nathan Broad
The WAGs also couldn’t have visits from families or friends living outside the hub, nor could they bring in alcohol from outside retailers.
They were also prohibited from leaving the transitional hub at any time.
‘If you fail to abide by any of the terms of this Agreement or any reasonable direction… this may result in you being removed from the Transitional Hub and returning [home]… and/or the AFL no longer covering the costs of your stay in the Transitional Hub,’ the email stated.
The email was reportedly sent out after several Covid breaches occurred.
One of these breaches involved Richmond captain Trent Cotchin’s wife, Brooke Cotchin, visiting a day spa.
Brooke was trolled online after breaking hub protocols to get a facial in July 2020 and then posting about it on Instagram.
Her family was among hundreds of players and staff moved from Melbourne to the AFL hub in Queensland after Victoria experienced a rise in Covid-19 cases before the Grand Final.
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Guideline: The rules included the responsible consumption of alcohol, not having nannies on site and not posting ‘negative’ content about the league on social media. Pictured: Richmond captain Trent Cotchin and his wife, Brooke
She later said if it hadn’t been for her children, she would have killed herself after becoming overwhelmed by life in the footy hub, which was set up to ensure the footy season could continue by separating players and staff from the public.
‘It got really, really bad,’ a tearful Brooke revealed on Tully Humphrey and Sarah Pasini’s Curious Conversations podcast.
‘I kept saying to Trent that the only reason – it sounds extreme – but the only reason I didn’t kill myself was because of my kids.’
Breach: The email was reportedly sent out after several Covid breaches occurred. One breach involved Brooke Cotchin visiting a day spa and posting about the outing on social media
Luxury hub: The AFL reportedly paid up to $3million a week to house 458 players and their families in high-class locations, including the 4.5-star Mercure Gold Coast Resort
Most of the 2020 AFL season was played in Queensland, where hubs were set up throughout the state from Cairns to the Gold Coast to allow teams to play against one another in spite of Covid-19 restrictions.
The AFL reportedly paid up to $3million a week to house 458 players and their families in high-class locations.
The 4.5-star Mercure Gold Coast Resort was converted into an impenetrable fortress complete with security guards as 400 officials, fans, players, wives and even journalists went into quarantine after it was announced the game would be played in the Sunshine State.
Players who lived inside the AFL hub included Nathan Broad and his fiancée, Tayla Damir; Buddy Franklin and his wife, Jesinta Franklin; and Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury and his wife, Alex Pendlebury.
Players who lived inside the AFL hub included Nathan Broad and his fiancée, Tayla Damir (pictured); Buddy Franklin and his wife, Jesinta Franklin; and Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury and his wife, Alex Pendlebury
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