Lygon Legends wrote:
First major test of this new board IMHO. If the game is moved, there will be a lot of angry CFC fans. Will be seen as more of the same, AFL telling us what to do (loss of independence due to financial position, etc).
If the game is moved, CFC should be given a massive payout (think what Melbourne/Hawthorn/Kangaroos get when they move a game interstate - something in the order of 250-300k, taking into account publicity, membership and merchandise).
Good luck Mark, and thanks for the update.
This whole thing should be put in perspective.
1. We have had NO contact from the AFL to suggest the venue is even under review. This certainly suggests that the only thing going on at the moment is a Brisbane campaign to have the game moved being played out in the media. Something this new board won't have a bar of.
2. This is not the home and away season where home teams get any share of revenue. That's why your membership doesn't get you in this week, nor through the whole NAB cup. This is an AFL run comp. FYI - we sold very few memberships at the Essendon* game, most were sold the next day at the family day, and after the Hawthorn game we sold solid numbers each day via the internet so it is debatable whether the game at TD will result in membership sales.
Ditto for merchandise sales where our share at TD is very small anyway.
3. What is not in dispute is how great it would be for our kids to play in front of a huge home crowd, and how disgusting it would be for us - the supporters, to not get the chance to see our team live.
BUT, the NAB Cup rules, venues etc have always been dictated by the AFL. That's why teams play all over the country.
AND I reiterate we have had no indication we will be asked to play elsewhere.
If that request / demand does come, it has nothing to do with the AFL loan. This is the NAB Cup.
But John M does have a point about Raheen, but not sure our President will be too keen to have a slumber party with the Brisbane boys.