Four Port Adelaide players busted in suspected Covid-19 breach
Port Adelaide is at the centre of a new Covid-19 scandal after four of the Powers players were caught on camera without wearing masks, in an alleged breach of virus protocols.
Four Power players were seen without face masks at the Australian Olympic Swimming trials in Adelaide.
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TV cameras captured Power's Zak Butters, Mitch Georgiades, Ollie Lord and Dylan Williams sitting in the stands at Adelaide's State Aquatic Centre on Thursday, without masks protecting their faces.
A photo, which was sent to The Advertiser, shows the players sitting in the grandstand, with all other members of the crowd around them wearing their face masks.
Swimming Australia's Covid-19 policy at the Adelaide event stated that all spectators must be wearing masks while seated, unless they were eating or drinking at the time.
Georgiades is the only player out of the four currently in the senior team, having made 11 appearances this season.
Rising star Butters has been out with a nerve injury to his left knee since round four, while Lord and Williams are yet to play at AFL level.
It comes after arch-rivals Adelaide were fined $50,000 after several Crows players removed their masks during a flight home from Sydney after the round-11 defeat to Richmond.
Port flew out on Friday morning to the Gold Coast for Saturday's clash with the Suns at Metricon Stadium.
Port preparing for match against Suns
Power coach Ken Hinkley was not asked about the incident in his pre-game media conference at Adelaide airport.
The AFL and Port Adelaide have been contacted for comment.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said there was "simply no excuse" if the players were found guilty of breaching Covid-19 guidelines.
“First and foremost, we all have a very clear responsibility to ensure we do everything we can to best protect the health and well-being of our family, friends and everyone in the community,” Dillon said after the Crows incident a fortnight ago.
“The rule here is clear and has been in place for some time and there is simply no excuse for not abiding by it.
“We will not compromise the health and well-being of the community, and remind everyone in the industry – players, coaches, officials and staff - that they have a responsibility to adhere to the rules for the safety of everyone.”
with AAP
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