'Let us down': Premier blasts AFL over 'disgusting' virus breach

The Premier of Western Australia has put the AFL on blast after Sydney Swans player Elijah Taylor breached the state’s quarantine rules.

Taylor has been banned for the rest of the season after his partner entered the Swans’ COVID-19 hub accommodation in Perth when she was not authorised to do so.

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The Swans have been fined $50,000 for the breach, with $25,000 suspended and $25,000 included in their 2021 soft cap.

WA Police are continuing to investigate the breach and Premier Mark McGowan says both Taylor and his partner could face charges.

“It's very disappointing,” McGowan said on Sunday.

“The AFL gave us every assurance this wouldn't happen. The Swans have let us down, the AFL has let us down. We're disappointed in both organisations.

“I received an apology from the AFL this morning. I appreciate that but ... they promised us this wouldn't happen and they let us down.”

WA Police have notified the Sydney Swans that 19-year-old Taylor can continue his quarantine with the team, while his partner will also be required to quarantine for 14 days.

Both the AFL and the Swans have said there are no excuses for the breach.

Mr McGowan said he remained open to the state hosting the grand final if teams complied with quarantine requirements.

But he said he had no intention of WA bidding to host the showcase event, which is increasingly likely to be played in Brisbane.

“If Queensland wants to, good luck to them,” he said.

“We know our stadium is the best and we also know we're the strongest football state.”

Swans throw support behind Elijah Taylor

Swans chief executive Tom Harley said the club will continue to support Taylor.

“Our situation is probably two-fold,” Harley told ABC radio on Sunday.

“There's absolute condemnation and making sure that Elijah's aware of what's happened.

“On the same side he is a 19-year-old first-year player who is - like all players and staff and the community - living in pretty challenging times at the minute.

“We absolutely don't let Elijah off the hook but make sure that the support mechanism is there for him.

“He's extremely remorseful and it is a lesson to everyone, if ever we needed another one, of the privileged position that we are in to keep the game going.”

Sydney are scheduled to play against Fremantle on Saturday night and Harley said there was never any doubt the round 13 clash would go ahead as planned.

He said Taylor had limited contact with teammates and all had since tested negative to COVID-19 under the usual protocols.

Harley said the Swans had not been involved in determining Taylor's football penalty, which was left to the AFL and AFL Players Association.

“Elijah knew exactly what he was doing, it was intentional, and the actual consequence of Elijah's behaviour was extremely high,” Harley said.

“The AFL have been afforded this unbelievable social licence to play the game.

“With those two factors in mind, the AFL worked through with the AFL Players Association the appropriate level of sanction.”

Sydney will remain based in their hub in Joondalup, in Perth’s northern suburbs, until after the Fremantle match, when they will return to Queensland.

with AAP