In the past I've worked FIFO to offshore platforms. Many of the sites require you to rock up and blow 0% on the breathalyzer. If it's anything other than 0%, you fly home, thanks for coming, we'll keep your pay for the swing. Do it a few times and they won't ask you to come back: there are plenty of other blokes lined up for a swing on good pay.
One drink the night before would probably be ok, 4-5 probably not. Once you have one, it's pretty easy to go 2...
I always made sure the night before was completely dry - I certainly don't have enough dough in the bank to risk an entire paycheck for one glass of red. If I can go 3 weeks without a tinny, I can go 3 weeks plus one day. First day home however, now that's a different story - starting in the airport on the way south.
Freo are one week from the bye.
The season is, what, 22 weeks long, plus a buy, plus finals if you make it. About half of those weeks you'll have a 7 day break.
Have a beer or 3 on your 7 day breaks, and enjoy them. Have a few during the bye and enjoy it. Have a carton or 5 after your team's season ends.
If you're a taxi driver, don't have a few before your shift starts. If you're a pilot, follow whatever guidelines they set. Same for a soldier on deployment.
If you're a elite sports person, well, follow the guidelines or rules that your team or coach or management set. You're job is to perform at maximum capacity when the time comes. Theirs is to make sure you can deliver at maximum capacity.
Is it a silly rule? Maybe. Are there reasons behind it? Yep. Do the people who give the advice know more about it than most of us. Possibly. Could they be wrong? Yea maybe. And if they're not wrong? Good thing the 'workplace' followed their advice.
I love watching Freddy. Can't wait to see him back. And I'm glad that the team takes getting maximum performance each week as a serious matter. Sure, 6 days might be overkill. But I want a premiership, and I'm sure as hell the players do too. Make a few sacrifices now and then. And enjoy a cold one at the opportunities that you can.