Why are WAGS in the rooms?

Jimmy Bartel and his girlfriend Nadia Coppolino in the rooms after the 2011 Grand Final. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY commentator Brian Taylor has questioned why players' wives and girlfriends are in the rooms after "every bloody game".

Taylor, a long-time critic of players running out with their children for milestone games, says the players' inner sanctum is not as sacrosanct as it was.

Taylor, former Richmond and Collingwood great who now calls footy on Channel 7 and 3AW, said: "It wasn't that long ago when girls were not welcome in the changerooms.

"Then it got to the stage when they came in just after the premiership to help you celebrate.

"Now they're there after every bloody game. I'm thinking: 'Why? What's going on here? I'm not sure that's a good thing for footy'."

Taylor also echoed calls from the wider football community for a more humane system on the notoriously ruthless Brownlow Medal red carpet.

Players, wives and girlfriends were furious when last year's event was seemingly hijacked by bitchy critics armed with venom, and little knowledge of the game, or its stars.

Taylor said yesterday: "A lot of the girls would despise having to walk on that particular red carpet.

"I think that's something that needs to be looked at over the next few years."

He suggested a side entrance option to the event for media-shy WAGs.

Taylor said: "The girls have to be let it be known, and the players have to let it be known they would prefer not to have the effort and focus on what they're dressed in, and what they look like.''

Brian and wife Tania, married for 25 years, predate the WAG phenomenon.

He laughed: "I know nothing about WAG culture. It seems to be an interesting lifestyle."