The initial source of the information, 3AW’s Sam McClure, said the news had given them “a few headaches,” but the Lions insisted the trip had “nothing impact on their terrible start to the year.”

According to McClure, “certain information got home to loved ones that didn’t go down too well.”

“It’s caused rifts in some relationships, it’s caused other relationships to end between players and partners, and there’s even suggestions put to me today that it’s caused some tough conversations to be had between teammates as to what went on on that US trip.

“They’re human beings, they’re thrust into a team together, there’s 40 blokes on a list. If there are issues between some of them, or issues between some of their partners, it’s going to cause some sort of discomfort. Whether that translates onto the field, only they would know.”

Speaking on 3AW as well, former Essendon great Matthew Lloyd warned that the Lions’ struggling season might suffer greatly from off-field conflict and divisions within the playing group.

“Your football career has a big impact on how your home life is going,” Lloyd remarked.

“It helps you play terrific footy if you’re content at home, going fantastic, and have a strong support system.

“Of course it will affect your football if you go home and all of a sudden find yourself in a relationship, have your kids at home, a partner, and then all of a sudden you’re not in a relationship; you’re just going home to an empty home and that’s all you’re thinking about.” “If you go home and then find yourself in a situation at the club where there is some friction between your teammates.”