DOCKERS PISS-PLANE: WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says AFL fixture submission will be used
The State Government could consider using its annual submission to the AFL’s fixturing process to advocate for less travel for the Eagles and the Dockers.
Acting Premier Rita Saffioti said while the matter was one for Sports Minister David Templeman, it was worth considering arguing for a fairer travel schedule for the two WA sides.
As part of the annual AFL fixturing processes, clubs and State Governments can make submissions and requests regarding game scheduling and grounds.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We all know WA teams have had to deal with it for a long time,” Ms Saffioti said.
“We know the West Coast Eagles were successful even with the travel and that’s what (the AFL will) probably point to.
“Increasingly, the question of fairness has to be brought into play in particular with a Gather Round that again, impacts the WA teams negatively.
Speaking in the wake of the Dockers being forced to use sinks as toilets on a flight after their loss to Hawthorn in Tasmanian last weekend, Ms Saffioti described the revelations as a “disgrace”.
“It’s another reason we shouldn’t be playing games in Tasmania — not only do we lose but we also have to do that,” Ms Saffioti, a Dockers fan, said.
It emerged on Thursaday that Dockers players and staff were caught short after their chartered flight ran out of water just 30 minutes into their four-hour journey following the team’s loss to Hawthorn, resulting in the plane’s toilets malfunctioning.
Cabin crew were forced to manually scoop toilet waste into basins, with passengers instructed to use basins for urination in a breach of hygiene standards.
Transport Workers Union WA State Secretary Tim Dawson blasted the inadequate conditions which resulted in “distressing experiences” for both the crew and passengers.
“This situation is utterly unacceptable and demonstrates a glaring neglect of duty of care towards both our members and the passengers they serve,” he said.
The issue has raised further questions about the unfair travel burden placed on both the Eagles and the Dockers, who, on top of playing a game in Tasmania, have also played a game in Alice Springs.
