PARTY POLICE
AFL could put brakes on Mad Monday
PLAYERS and coaches could be bound by strict AFL rules for up to 48 hours after their last game to help avoid any boozy Mad Monday celebrations.
League heavyweights are in discussions about extending the hub rules by one or two days to prevent any group drinking sessions in the team hotels in the immediate aftermath of their last games.
Players may have to stay in the high performance hubs for up to 48 hours after their last game for exit interviews and final medicals, if they do not want to do them online.
But once they check out of the hubs and the 48-hour period ends, players will be able to eat and drink responsibly on their Queensland holidays like regular citizens.
League and AFL Players Association officials were discussing options on Thursday to ensure players had the necessary support and guidance in their transition out of the hubs.
The league is desperate to avoid any boozy shenanigans from players which could jeopardise the finals series after Richmond’s second breach last week. A third strike form any Richmond party member could cost the club premiership points and draft picks.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has flagged the possible use of off-duty police officers and other minders to help chaperone players in the post-season. Geelong superstar and AFL PA president Paddy Dangerfield said the league’s players must behave responsibly if they choose to stay-on in Queensland.
“It’s something that a lot of players would like to do (stay in Queensland),” Dangerfield said. “What comes with that is a responsibility to adhere to all the set guidelines.
“We have to make sure as players that we (keep focused) because there’s been a lot that has been given up allowing us to do what we’ve done.
“The challenge will clearly come once finals start and there’s clubs that have finished up, we’ve got to make sure that everyone is conducting themselves in the right manner.”
The AFL has reinforced with clubs how important it is that players and staff abide by strict rules after securing permission from the Queensland Government to continue the season up north.
McGuire said clubs regularly used chaperones to help keep players safe when they went overseas in groups.
He did not rule out them being used in Queensland after the season finished to help players steer clear of trouble.
“The question that is being asked at the moment is ‘How are they (players) going to go about it (when the season is over)?” McGuire said on Channel 9.
“People have been hired before to protect some players, to go out with some players and to keep an eye on them.
“Obviously that happens with when you go overseas, but with so many payers up on the Gold Coast or around the area what’s the answer?”
Respected former Fremantle and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said it was certain there would be an incident of some kind when the season is over.