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Fremantle Dockers assistant coach Josh Carr charged with breaching the WA Government’s Quarantine Directions Orders

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Braden QuartermaineThe West Australian
Fremantle assistant Josh Carr has been charged with  breaching the WA Government’s Quarantine Directions Orders.
Camera IconFremantle assistant Josh Carr has been charged with breaching the WA Government’s Quarantine Directions Orders. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Fremantle midfield coach Josh Carr has been banned from attending the club’s next two games after being charged with three counts of breaching quarantine rules.

Carr was part of the group of players and officials who returned from the Gold Coast on Sunday night who were required to undergo a 14-day home quarantine period, with attending the club the only exemption.

The former midfielder, who played 207 AFL games including 83 for the Dockers, was allegedly caught out on Wednesday when he was not home when police knocked on his door.

Carr must now serve the remainder of his quarantine period at home with no exemptions to attend training or matches, ruling him out of Sunday’s game against Richmond and next weekend’s meeting with Brisbane, both at Optus Stadium.

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WA Police said in a statement they would allege Carr had travelled to “a number of locations” that were not connected to official club activities and let unauthorised people into his house.

Carr, who returned a negative COVID-19 test on Thursday, has now been confined at home with no exceptions until 11.59pm on Sunday, August 8.

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Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick said players and staff were given multiple reminders about adhering to the strict directions orders.

Fremantle assistant Josh Carr will have to remain in home quarantine with no exemptions.
Camera IconFremantle assistant Josh Carr will have to remain in home quarantine with no exemptions. Credit: Paul Kane/via AFL Photos

“We appreciate and understand the pressures that quarantine measures can place on individuals, however there is no excuse,” Garlick said.

“And while Josh was very apologetic and remorseful, we are frustrated and disappointed by his actions and concerned about the negative impact they could have on the very positive relationships we’ve maintained with WA Police, the State Government and the AFL throughout the course of the pandemic.”

Carr has been stood down by the club and is not expected to coach remotely.

As a Fremantle player, feisty Carr is best remembered for a best-on-ground performance in a 2007 western derby when he and brother Matthew roughed up West Coast stars Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr. Josh Carr had food thrown at him by irate fans and Subiaco Oval authorities began preparations to deal with a crowd riot during the match.

Young defender Brandon Walker, who has played six games since making his debut in round 13, has been fined $1000 by police after taking his dog for a walk on Tuesday.

Brandon Walker has been fined for a breach which was called an “accident”.
Camera IconBrandon Walker has been fined for a breach which was called an “accident”. Credit: Kelly Defina/via AFL Photos

Garlick described Walker’s breach as inadvertent. The 18-year-old remains available to play against the Tigers.

“He is a young player, and while Brandon’s breach was accidental, it is still disappointing and unacceptable,” Garlick said.

“We’ve given Brandon an official warning, and he is well aware of the seriousness of the breach.

The AFL integrity department could yet intervene with their own sanctions, with the league’s relationship with police and governments critical as they seek to negotiate continued movement of teams across State borders.

The Fremantle breaches comes as Perth is being considered as a back-up option for a finals hub in September, should games not be able to be staged as normal due to the pandemic.

Premier Mark McGowan described the breaches as “frustrating” and “very disappointing”.

“The AFL has been given certain rights. They need to adhere to it. They jeopardise their own position if they dont,” Mr McGowan said.

“If they want to continue the season they need to make sure that they deal with these matters very seriously.”

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir expressed concern for people at the club enduring home-based quarantine on SEN WA on Friday morning.

“To a large degree, my life doesn’t change in quarantine because I don’t do a lot outside of footy and home,” Longmuir said.

“But it does become a bit of a drag. Especially on my wife, who sometimes relies on me to pick up the kids from school or go to the shops after work.

“It all just piles on to her now, all the home duties. So that’s a bit tough. It does become a bit of a drain.

“I’m going fine. But I do worry about everyone at the footy club who, you know some people don’t have the luxury of having a wife that can do bits and pieces for them.”

The AFL said on Friday night it would investigate the breaches in conjunction with Fremantle.

AFL executive general manager of football Andrew Dillon said: “We are in a privileged position to be able to continue to play matches and we must respect that privilege that is afforded to us by the relevant state governments.

“The club will ensure appropriate support is in place for the individuals involved while the circumstances that lead to the charges are investigated by the AFL integrity team.”

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