AFL off-season: Where in the world are your favourite Eagles and Dockers holidaying in their downtime

Sleep, eat, train, repeat — it’s the regimented cycle governing the lives of WA’s AFL players for three-quarters of the year.

With both West Coast and Fremantle missing out on finals action in 2024, a host of local stars fled the State’s footy bubble as early as September to travel home interstate, while others spread their wings much farther in pursuit of adventure.

Young Eagles star Harley Reid returned to his native Victoria, greeted by family and his AFLW girlfriend Yasmin Duursma after a successful start to his professional career as 2023’s number one draft pick.

The 19-year-old even traded his guernsey for a sky-blue suit as an ambassador for Melbourne’s Caulfield Cup Carnival.

West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen swapped codes in Italy — where football is more of a religion than obsession — fading into the Rossoneri crowd as he watched powerhouse club AC Milan in action.

Chilling-out in the picturesque Tuscan town of Cortona by day, the forward was afforded behind-the-scenes access to a late-night DJ set performed by Aussie artist Fisher.

Dashing midfielder Jayden Hunt shifted gears to a snail’s pace in Paris, testing his taste-buds on the local delicacy and island-hopping across Southern Europe.

He then traded the sea for the skies, trekking through the Dinaric Alps of Eastern Europe’s Albania and Montenegro.

For freshly delisted teammate Josh Rotham, Bali presented the ideal destination for his bachelor party, drawing a host of past and present players to his “stag with greatness”.

Cheekily donning a wedding dress in anticipation, the defender — who announced his engagement in October 2023 — was shadowed by Jake Waterman, Tom Cole, Dom Sheed, and former teammates Xavier O’Neill and Daniel Venables.

Young midfield bull Reuben Ginbey surfed the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra, mingling with locals as he enjoyed a tranquil getaway.

Flying solo to the Middle East, the 20-year-old found sand of a different variety as he dune-bashed through Qatar.

Closer to home, Eagles Best and Fairest winner Jeremy McGovern ventured upstate to the idyllic waters of Coral Bay as he and his family enjoyed a bountiful squid and fishing expedition.

Ahead of Fremantle’s Best and Fairest in mid-September, ruckman Luke Jackson and his West Coast Fever partner Kelsey Browne explored the endless plains of Tanzania via a safari tour.

Landing in Mauritius, the pair sipped beers as they basked in endless sunshine and turquoise waters.

At higher altitude, intrepid captain Alex Pearce dove head first into New Zealand’s extreme sports culture, helicoptering into the South Island’s Franz Josef Glacier for a frosty hike before bungee jumping in Queenstown.

The 29-year-old played a round of golf at the spectacular Jack’s Point, framed by the region’s stunning mountains and enchanting Lake Wakatipu.

A proven hot spot for Aussies and footballers alike, Bali’s coastal gem of Uluwatu played host to Andrew Brayshaw and Jeremy Sharp, who were joined by Sharp’s former teammate at Gold Coast Charlie Constable.

While back in Europe, another former Sun in midfielder Jaeger O’Meara announced he and wife Tori Packer were expecting their first child as they enjoyed a quiet beach day.

With the Dockers’ AFL origins traced back to the early 90s, reigning Best and Fairest winner Caleb Serong opted to extend his art history knowledge in Paris’ famous Louvre with fiance Chloe Furnari.

Key defender Oscar McDonald dropped anchor on the Greek Island of Paros alongside former Triple J presenter and author Bridget Hustwaite, with the couple trying their hands at a traditional pastry class before kicking back on a relaxed boat tour.

The pair skipped to Santorini to catch one of the world’s most enviable sunsets, with the emerging talent ticking off his post-season cardio by scaling the labyrinth of white-painted buildings endemic of the Aegean marvel.

While WA clubs will throw everything at luring Perth-born Chad Warner home next year when his contract expires, the Swans superstar flew to southern Europe following his side’s disappointing grand final loss.

Enrolling in a pasta-making class with a Perth-based friend, the attacking midfielder and girlfriend Alice Hughes zipped through regional Italy on a Vespa and headed to the enchanting world of Disneyland in Paris.

Northampton product Patrick Cripps headlined the list of WA-raised stars playing interstate who have gone global, with the Carlton dual Brownlow Medallist also choosing Bali for a slow-paced family reunion.

Rockingham export Aaron Naughton — a Western Bulldogs key forward — enjoyed a “ramen breakfast, lunch, and dinner” in Japan, immersing in the nation’s rich history through a temple and shrine tour.

He and his partner Ella Morris traded reality for the metaverse in Tokyo, opting for the popular Mario Kart tour as they explored the buzzing city on four wheels.

Former Claremont product Jacob Van Rooyen, a key forward at Melbourne, explored the concrete jungle of New York City with older teammates Jake Bowey and Jake Lever.