AFL players wait for answers on league's airline move

THE AFL Players' Association says it is seeking assurances about the league's controversial switch from Qantas to Virgin Blue.

With less than a month before the opening round of NAB Cup action, AFLPA worries over seating arrangements and flight scheduling are yet to be addressed.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett upped the turbulence in the airline feud on Monday night by accusing the AFL of "screwing" its players by putting a $6 million commercial deal ahead of player welfare.

West Coast Eagles chiefs said last week they feared ruck pair Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui could be forced to stand on interstate flights because of the move to Virgin, which does not offer business-class seating
AFL player representatives raised a series of concerns, potential solutions and requests for information with the AFL in early December, ahead of the new arrangements coming into effect on January 1," AFLPA spokesman Ben Hart said yesterday.

"Players are still waiting for a response. We understand the AFL is liaising with Virgin Blue on these issues and will get back to us within the next month."

Virgin boss John Borghetti contacted clubs last year and gave assurances his airline would have planes fitted with business-class seats and be able to run a schedule comparable with Qantas. The airline declined to comment.

Kennett did not limit his attacks to the AFL, criticising St Kilda for its handling of the schoolgirl-nude photo scandal.

"It's been the most badly handled episode by all parties involved," he said on 3AW.

"This girl needs help and she needs to have a support structure put around her. My worry again is a lot's happened, the girl has gone through a terrible experience and she's finding it very hard now to adjust to life after that. The question is whether everyone's done all they can. The club would argue yes, but threatening her with further legal action doesn't seem to be the way to resolve it."

Kennett also said the AFL should butt out of the Brendan Fevola issue and leave it to Brisbane to sort out.

"I don't think it's the issue for the AFL," he said.

"I think it's an issue for the club to resolve. I don't like the concept of big brother sitting there making judgments. The club and individual have to try to work their way through it. One rule doesn't suit all. We're all too quick to judge.

"I would always like to think there's room within all of us to keep giving people an opportunity."