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Roger Cook says AFL needs more details on FIFO hub proposal for WA

Headshot of Caitlyn Rintoul
Caitlyn RintoulThe West Australian
VideoReporter Craig O'Donoghue delves into the first day of hub life on the Gold Coast for Fremantle.

Health Minister Roger Cook has called on the AFL to be more transparent with their hub proposals after confirming he could give teams the go-ahead to play against each other during a quarantine period in WA.

Mr Cook significantly softened this stance yesterday, not ruling out the idea of a fly in, fly out hub model, but said he was surprised West Coast players left the Royal Pines Resort to go to a supermarket.

Speaking to The West Live host Jenna Clarke this morning, the Deputy Premier said had resumed discussions between WA Police Chris Dawson, WA’s Chief Health Officer Andrew Robertson and the AFL in recent days.

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“We really need to work with the AFL to see if we can find a mutually acceptable way forward,” he told Clarke.

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“We really need to see and understand what the AFL are proposing.

“Obviously, by the time they consider coming to Western Australia, they would have already spent a good period of time in quarantine as part of their own mechanisms.

WA Health Minister Roger Cook
Camera IconWA Health Minister Roger Cook

“We need to understand what that looks like and what the effect of that is.”

Yesterday, Mr Cook told The West Australian he was surprised star Eagles players Josh Kennedy and Nic Naitanui had visited a Coles outside their quarantine zone.

He said it was his expectation that the players would stay within the Gold Coast resort at all times while serving their quarantine period before returning to WA in July.

“Moving about the resort, staying within the quarantine zone, obviously that is quarantining. Going to Coles is not quarantining,” he said.

“We don't want to compromise our hard border policy because that's what has kept West Australians safe and has really put us ahead of the country in terms of the easing of restrictions but it would be terrific to see some footy played in WA and I think everyone would be looking forward to that.

“I know the police commissioner and the chief health officer are in active conversations with the AFL. It would be great to see footy in Western Australia.”

Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir gives a thumbs up on arrival to the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.
Camera IconFremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir gives a thumbs up on arrival to the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. Credit: DAVE HUNT/AAPIMAGE

The West Australian has also revealed four Victorian clubs would join West Coast and Fremantle in a quarantined hub at Burswood for 5-7 weeks from mid to late-July under a plan being developed between the AFL and WA Government.

The players would not be required to stay confined to their hotel rooms for two weeks as previously planned and will be able to freely move between Crown and Optus Stadium.

Interstate clubs will be permitted to fly into WA and play each other during their quarantine.

Both Fremantle Football Club general manager Peter Bell and West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson have called for travel exemptions for West Australian AFL players.

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