Nick wrote:
Well then don't say anything at all.
Did every club's CEO come out and released a press release on the fixture?
Did Gold Coast come out and say how thankful they were for AFL's assistance with priority access to state league players?
St Kilda CEO stated they don't deserve prime time games and will let their footy do the talking. Also thanked the AFL for the draw.
Of course Essendon* came out thanking the AFL but weren't happy they are not playing more Vic teams at the MCG (they are never happy).
https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/clubs ... 1b6029bba5Quote:
Essendon*, another Victorian club with a big supporter base, will have four Friday night games and two on Thursday night.
The Bombers dropped out of the top eight this season after a disastrous 2-6 start and their 14-year drought without a finals win is the longest in the AFL.
But they finished the season strongly and the recruiting of GWS star Dylan Shiel has further raised expectations that they will be next year’s bolter.
Essendon*’s great hope.
Essendon*’s great hope.Source:News Corp Australia
Despite their regular prime time appearances, Essendon* chief executive Xavier Campbell took a stab at league officials for Essendon*’s home games against fellow-Melbourne clubs who finished outside the top eight last season.
“At the biggest venue in Melbourne with a capacity of 100,000, we feel it may have been a missed opportunity to not showcase a traditional Victorian based rivalry in two of our four home games scheduled at the MCG,” Campbell said.
‘However, we do thank the league for their willingness to work with the Clubs to ensure a relatively balanced fixture.”
Hawthorn boss Justin Reeves also criticised his team’s draw, claiming his club didn’t receive any of its fixture requests.
“We understand the fixture process is a challenging one for the league, however it is disappointing we did not receive any of the priority fixture requests we submitted to the AFL and that we have again been fixtured a home game at Marvel Stadium,” Reeves said.
“On a positive note, we are pleased our members will be able to enjoy some terrific home games at the MCG, with big match-ups against the Cats on Easter Monday, Collingwood on a Friday night and reigning Premiers West Coast.”