Eagles first to land on Coast
WA clubs kick off AFL quarantine hub road trip
WEST Coast’s arrival on the Gold Coast yesterday starts the longest, and oddest, road trip in AFL history for the four clubs entering the competition’s Queensland quarantine hub.
While four weeks staying in a luxury resort on the Gold Coast in the middle of winter sounds like a dream, the reality is going to be a much different experience for the Eagles as well as Fremantle, and Port Adelaide.
The Western Australian teams are staying at Royal Pines Resort, just down the road from Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium, while the South Australian clubs are to be based at the Mercure resort in nearby Palm Meadows.
Both resorts have golf courses, restaurants and all the
Adelaide facilities you’d expect but, while several players are bringing their clubs to Queensland, the AFL’s biosecurity rules mean there will be no teeing off at either resort for players or staff until the rules change.
Even socialising will be difficult, with rules limiting groups to just eight within the hub and social distancing to be practised throughout.
When the Dockers arrive today at Royal Pines, they might not even see their crosstown rivals, with the clubs expected to stay in separate wings of the hotel.
For players with families, the time away will be particularly isolating. Only three players – West Coast’s Liam Ryan, Tom Hickey and Tim Kelly – are travelling with their families, although clubs might change that if the hub period is extended beyond the initial four weeks.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson hinted last week the unknown length of the stay was perhaps the biggest challenge he, his players and staff faced.
“We are used to travelling; we’re used to playing on the road; we’re used to being together a lot, but probably not this long,” Simpson said.
To prepare, Fremantle consulted sporting organisations more used to longer spells on the road such as Australia’s cricket and hockey teams.
Fremantle’s first match in the hub will be on Saturday at the Gabba against Brisbane, while the Eagles will take on Gold Coast later that day at Metricon. The two South Australian clubs travel next week to Queensland.