Former Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff has slammed a media “beat up” while conceding at least one player’s relationship ended after a post-season trip to America.
It was revealed last week several Lions players were implicated in an awkward mistake when WhatsApp messages and photos were uploaded to iCloud during last year’s holiday, and supposedly seen by one partner then shared with others back in Australia.
The story emerged hours before Brisbane lost to Collingwood to slump to an 0-3 start to the AFL season, after losing last year’s grand final to the Magpies by just four points.
On Monday, Lions football boss Danny Daly fronted journalists to deny the saga has had any lingering impact on the playing group.
And Rockliff agrees. “It seems to be a big beat up,” Rockliff told Nine’s Today on Wednesday.
“The trip actually was in LA and Nashville, so they didn’t even go to Las Vegas.
“What happens when you start the season 0-3 when you’re expected to be 3-0, they look for stories and journos are scraping the bottom of the barrel on this one to try cause something that may not be there.
“Clearly things didn’t go to plan (overseas)… but to suggest that’s the reason they’re 0-3 is a complete beat up.”
Reports claimed members of the playing group held a crisis meeting over the weekend after suffering a third straight loss.
