WAG Tayla Damir reveals what it’s REALLY like inside the AFL’s Queensland hub

The AFL ‘bubbles’ on Queensland’s Gold Coast have become a point of contention in recent weeks as more than 300 players, WAGs and officials have been spotted soaking up the sun at five-star resorts.

But while photos have surfaced showing the stars’ wives and girlfriends sipping cocktails by the pool, one outspoken WAG has said that not all quarantine hubs were treated like luxury holidays.

Ex-Love Island contestant Tayla Damir, who is dating Richmond’s Nathan Broad and stayed at an AFL hub in August, told KIIS FM’s 3pm Pick-Up on Monday that the families were just grateful to have a safe place to stay during the pandemic and weren’t looking for a free vacation.

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Richmond star Nathan Broad (pictured) was forced to quarantine in one of the AFL's designated hotel hubs as the season continues its run in Queensland

Speaking out: Footy WAG and Love Island star Tayla Damir (left), who is dating Richmond’s Nathan Broad (right), has offered a rare glimpse inside the AFL’s resort-style Queensland hubs 

The AFL is reportedly paying up to $3million a week to house 458 players and families in high-class locations, including the 4.5 star Mercure Gold Coast Resort in Carrara.

The Mercure resort was converted into an impenetrable fortress, complete with green mesh fences, security guards and warning signs to keep the public away. 

On Sunday, several women were spotted sunning themselves by the pool as temperatures reached 22°C.

However, this AFL hub was dismantled on Tuesday as players and their families were seen exiting the hotel.

Grateful: Tayla, who stayed at an AFL hub in August, said on Monday that the players' families were just grateful to have a safe place to stay during the pandemic and weren't looking for a free vacation. Pictured: AFL stars and WAGs relaxing by the pool at the SHARE SELECTION MailOnline Australia - news, sport, celebrity, science and health stories Home U.K. U.S. News World News Sport TV&Showbiz Femail Health Science Weather Video Travel DailyMailTV Royal FamilyGeorge FloydCoronavirusBreaking NewsWorld NewsSydneyMelbourneBrisbaneNew ZealandHeadlinesWiresLogin Privacy Policy Tuesday, Sep 15th 2020 10AM 19°C 1PM 21°C 5-Day Forecast WAGs sunbaking, cocktails at the 'Oasis Pool' and a swim coach for the kids: Inside the AFL 'quarantine' hub where 400 players, partners and officials are living it up after being allowed to dodge Queensland's border closure Family of AFL players and game officials are living it up in a luxury resort for their 14-day quarantine Women and children roamed throughout the resort and relaxed on balconies when Daily Mail Australia visited Some were spotted sunning themselves by the 'Oasis Pool' on Sunday afternoon near the poolside bar Nearby, AFL players who have already quarantined were seen at the beach after a morning recovery session There was public outcry after 400 family, friends and team officials were flown into the state By BRITTANY CHAIN ON THE GOLD COAST FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA PUBLISHED: 18:39 AEST, 13 September 2020 | UPDATED: 10:40 AEST, 14 September 2020 e-mail 120 shares 100 View comments The luxury resort housing AFL stars and their WAGS and has been converted into an impenetrable fortress, complete with green mesh fences, security guards and warning signs to keep the public away. The Sunday

Grateful: Tayla, who stayed at an AFL hub in August, said the players’ families were just grateful to have a safe place to stay during the pandemic and weren’t after a free holiday. Pictured: AFL stars and WAGs relaxing by the pool at the Mercure Resort on the Gold Coast on Sunday

Bubbles: The AFL is reportedly paying up to $3million a week to house 458 players and families in high-class locations, including the 4.5 star Mercure Gold Coast Resort in Carrara, which was dismantled on Tuesday

Bubbles: The AFL is reportedly paying up to $3million a week to house 458 players and families in high-class locations, including the 4.5 star Mercure Gold Coast Resort in Carrara, which was dismantled on Tuesday

Over: The AFL hub at the Mercure was dismantled on Tuesday as players and their families were seen exiting the hotel

Over: The AFL hub at the Mercure was dismantled on Tuesday as players and their families were seen exiting the hotel

Lockdown:  It's unclear which AFL hub Tayla and Nathan stayed in, as multiple hotels have been used across Queensland to house footy stars and their partners

Lockdown:  It’s unclear which AFL hub Tayla and Nathan stayed in, as multiple hotels have been used across Queensland to house footy stars and their partners

It’s unclear which AFL hub Tayla stayed in, as multiple hotels have been used across Queensland to house footy stars and their partners.

‘I was in the second hub that went over. For us it was a really grateful hub in a way because that’s when Melbourne had just announced stage four lockdown,’ she said. 

‘A lot of us were just sitting there and realising how grateful we were to have been able to get out of Melbourne when we did and to have such a good support network through the AFL – we felt like one big family.’ 

The former beauty queen, who rose to fame as the winner of Love Island’s first season in 2018, added: ‘I was really lucky for the hub I was in, but I can’t really speak for the other hubs though.’

Luck of the draw: Tayla, who rose to fame as the winner of Love Island's first season in 2018, said: 'I was really lucky for the hub I was in, but I can't really speak for the other hubs though.' Pictured with Nathan during a previous holiday

Luck of the draw: Tayla, who rose to fame as the winner of Love Island’s first season in 2018, said: ‘I was really lucky for the hub I was in, but I can’t really speak for the other hubs though.’ Pictured with Nathan during a previous holiday

'We felt like one big family': Tayla said the mood in her AFL hub was far more sombre, as most people felt grateful to have escaped Melbourne's impending stage four lockdown at the time

‘We felt like one big family’: Tayla said the mood in her AFL hub was far more sombre, as most people felt grateful to have escaped Melbourne’s impending stage four lockdown at the time

Remember her? Tayla rose to fame as the winner of the inaugural season of Love Island Australia with then-boyfriend Grant Crapp (left)

Remember her? Tayla rose to fame as the winner of the inaugural season of Love Island Australia with then-boyfriend Grant Crapp (left)

Players from 14 teams and their families moved to luxury bubbles in Queensland and Western Australia last month, where they have been enjoying free food, five-star accommodation and long days by the pool.

Queensland’s border restrictions make it near impossible for anybody from COVID-19 hotspots to enter the state, but up to 400 officials and family members of AFL players were granted an exemption.

The Queensland government has become the subject of fierce debate since allowing the hub to go ahead, while at the same time denying entry into the state for devastated families wanting to visit sick and dying relatives.

However, the AFL exemption conveniently worked in Tayla’s favour, as she had previously been denied entry into Western Australia from Victoria.

After spending her mandatory two-week hotel quarantine at the AFL hub, Tayla reapplied to return to Perth and was approved.

‘Queensland don’t have as many cases at the moment, so they were more lenient in terms of travel,’ she said, adding that having her WA driver’s licence and prior work commitments in Perth helped the approval process.

Special treatment: Queensland's border restrictions make it near impossible for anybody from COVID-19 hotspots to enter the state, but up to 400 officials and family members of AFL players were granted an exemption

Special treatment: Queensland’s border restrictions make it near impossible for anybody from COVID-19 hotspots to enter the state, but up to 400 officials and family members of AFL players were granted an exemption

Game on: Most of the AFL season for 2020 has been played in Queensland, where hubs were set up throughout the state from Cairns to the Gold Coast to allow teams to play against one another in spite of COVID-19 restrictions. Pictured: Nathan Broad of the Tigers this month

Game on: Most of the AFL season for 2020 has been played in Queensland, where hubs were set up throughout the state from Cairns to the Gold Coast to allow teams to play against one another in spite of COVID-19 restrictions. Pictured: Nathan Broad of the Tigers this month

Most of the AFL season for 2020 has been played in Queensland, where hubs were set up throughout the state from Cairns to the Gold Coast to allow teams to play against one another in spite of COVID-19 restrictions.

Teams from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales are all now based in their own ‘bubbles’ in Queensland, and most players have already undergone their 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine period.

The AFL is said to be becoming increasingly frustrated with numerous absurd requests from players and their families to upgrade their living situation.

AFL reporter Sam McClure said the league has fielded requests for a range of matters including demands to pay for extra food bills and to renovate their apartments.

Carlton, North Melbourne, Richmond, Hawthorn and Collingwood have copped fines totaling $235,000 for breaking the hub rules.

Queensland will host the 2020 Grand Final on October 24 at the Gabba in Brisbane, following a deadly coronavirus outbreak in Victoria.

End in sight: Queensland will host the 2020 Grand Final on October 24 at the Gabba in Brisbane following a deadly coronavirus outbreak in Victoria. Pictured: Nathan Broad with team staff during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session on Gold Coast on August 20, 2020

End in sight: Queensland will host the 2020 Grand Final on October 24 at the Gabba in Brisbane following a deadly coronavirus outbreak in Victoria. Pictured: Nathan Broad with team staff during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session on Gold Coast on August 20, 2020