This was published 13 years ago
Disgruntled Hawks want AFL to fund charter flight
By Jon Pierik
HAWTHORN Football Club has approached the AFL about chartering a plane for its trip to Perth for the opening round of the NAB Cup as concerns mount about the schedule and lack of leg space on Virgin Blue flights.
The decision to sign the airline as the league's official carrier continues to frustrate clubs and players.
High-flying stars such as Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead need extra leg-room.Credit: Vince Caligiuri
In November the AFL terminated its partnership with Qantas, which has greater leg room in economy class, and a business class, claiming it wanted an exclusive arrangement, something the international carrier could not offer because of its commercial links with soccer, rugby and rugby league.
Qantas would regularly upgrade players and ensure they had exit rows to stretch out and aid in their recovery.
Virgin Blue planes do not have business class, although there are suggestions this may change later in the year.
There have also been concerns about the airline's schedule, with clubs believing Qantas was more accommodating.
Clubs and the AFL Players Association were not consulted about the new deal, prompting Hawks president Jeff Kennett to label the AFL ''bloody arrogant''.
Hawthorn, preparing to travel west with a squad of at least 29 for the opening round of the NAB Cup on February 13, has already approached the AFL about a possible charter flight.
The Hawks will play West Coast and Fremantle in the remodelled opener with the three teams playing each other in matches of two 20-minute halves at Subiaco Oval.
The Hawks are slated to finish their second game at 6.30pm and are keen to return to Melbourne as soon as possible. But the earliest flight available is at 11pm.
Hawks football manager Mark Evans yesterday said the long break was an issue.
''It throws up the possibility of whether that is suitable or whether you stay an extra night in Perth,'' he said.
''In the past Qantas was pretty good at accommodating slight change requests, particularly the Perth leg.''
Last year St Kilda was given $5000 to help hire a charter flight to Perth.
West Coast is the latest club to express concerns about the new airline arrangement, fearing ruckmen Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui might now even have to stand on interstate flights because of the lack of leg room.
''I can understand from their point of view that they have that long haul every second week. We get it once or twice a year,'' Evans said.
But there could be relief in sight, with Virgin Blue to have two bigger planes, the wide-bodied A330-200, in use between the east coast and Perth from May. It will take possession of two more planes early next year.