While he may be a diehard Sydney Swans fan, Hugh Honey will not be enjoying the festivities linked to his team making the AFL Grand Final, instead telling management that he is so upset by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II that he needs some additional bereavement leave. 

Although bereavement leave is typically only claimable for death of immediate family members, Honey insists that he cannot possibly function at work while he deals with the loss of his Queen. 

Given the Queen’s 70-year reign, Honey’s management team have never dealt with such a request and had no choice to approve the additional 4 days off, on top of the National Day of Mourning public holiday. 

“I’m not really sure why it hit him so hard, but he called me on Saturday night in tears,” said Honey’s manager. 

“He insisted that he’d need the week off, and wasn’t in an emotional state to come into the office, or even work from home because he needed to attend some sort of mourning event in Melbourne.” 

“I know he loves his Swans so it’s just a shame he won’t get to enjoy the Grand Final festivities while he is mourning.” 

Honey was later spotted purchasing tickets to the AFL Grand Final Breakfast, held on Saturday morning.