AFL to splash the cash as clubs count personal cost

THE AFL will spend more than 10 per cent of this season’s revenue on interstate hubs that will cover flights, accommodation and meals for roughly 1500 people.

The league will generate about $400m from getting away all 153 home-and-away matches this season.

The AFL banks close to $20m-25m per round, which is keeping the sport afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was revealed this week that the hubs cost more than $3m per week, and that bill is set to hit close to $4m as more players, families and possibly clubs — with Sydney and GWS on standby for relocation — jet north.

Every club is allowed to invite 100 guests at the AFL’s expense. The cost of extra attendees will be split 50-50 between the club and the league.

Dr Peter Larkins said recently that each COVID-19 test cost $100, equating to another $4m cost that was not budgeted for this season.

But even if the bill from coronavirus testing and interstate hubs exceeds $50m the AFL would still be $350m ahead from playing the season.

Victorian clubs held emotional staff meetings at their Gold Coast resorts on Wednesday night as they grappled with the prospect of spending another nine weeks away from home and family.

They felt blindsided by the AFL’s proposal given last week’s guarantee they would be home in 35 days.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said he would continue to “log” the emotional and physical wellbeing of his players during their long stint in hubs.

“There’s some discontent around pay and all these peripheral things that might creep into our thinking and there’s a number of different levels,” Beveridge said.

“These players are making significant investment in the game for the future of the game and they may not get the dividends in three years’ time, They might not be here any more.

“That mindset of, ‘I’m doing everything for the future so look after me now’ is going to creep in to every playing group, I would have thought. But hopefully that doesn’t affect performance.”