Paralowiepower
16 Aug 2004, 23:34
Matthews feels for Port
2:11:00 PM Mon 16 August, 2004
Andrew Browne
Sportal
Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews has empathised with his Port Adelaide counterpart Mark Williams about the 'massive task' the Power have been set, by playing in Darwin one week, then to front up again in the space of six days to play in Melbourne on a Friday at the MCG against Collingwood.
Matthews adding that the Lions would be reluctant to play the Western Bulldogs or any Victorian side (as the away team) in the northern venue instead of Melbourne, because of the connections with Fitzroy.
"To go to Darwin on Saturday night then play in Melbourne on the Friday night is a gigantic challenge - any unbiased person would say that," declared Matthews on Monday.
"Port Adelaide have been lumped with a massive six day task - doesn't mean they won't win, but it is a massive task in a logical fairness point of view."
Matthews conceded that taking into account the myriad of factors required 'the draw is generally fair and they do a pretty good job', but this programming had a right to be questioned.
By the same token the Lions have no wish to play home games in the northern city, but would play there if they were an away team to a non-Victorian side such as Port Adelaide or Sydney.
However, a problem would arise if a Victorian team wanted to play the Lions in Darwin according to the Lions coach, because of the ties with Fitzroy as result of the 1997 merger.
"We are really determined as a club to have our six or seven games in Melbourne for our Melbourne support base," explained Matthews.
"It has even be suggested we play games in Launceston, but the problem is that would reduce our Melbourne games and we are determined to maintain our quota of games for our supporters there."
2:11:00 PM Mon 16 August, 2004
Andrew Browne
Sportal
Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews has empathised with his Port Adelaide counterpart Mark Williams about the 'massive task' the Power have been set, by playing in Darwin one week, then to front up again in the space of six days to play in Melbourne on a Friday at the MCG against Collingwood.
Matthews adding that the Lions would be reluctant to play the Western Bulldogs or any Victorian side (as the away team) in the northern venue instead of Melbourne, because of the connections with Fitzroy.
"To go to Darwin on Saturday night then play in Melbourne on the Friday night is a gigantic challenge - any unbiased person would say that," declared Matthews on Monday.
"Port Adelaide have been lumped with a massive six day task - doesn't mean they won't win, but it is a massive task in a logical fairness point of view."
Matthews conceded that taking into account the myriad of factors required 'the draw is generally fair and they do a pretty good job', but this programming had a right to be questioned.
By the same token the Lions have no wish to play home games in the northern city, but would play there if they were an away team to a non-Victorian side such as Port Adelaide or Sydney.
However, a problem would arise if a Victorian team wanted to play the Lions in Darwin according to the Lions coach, because of the ties with Fitzroy as result of the 1997 merger.
"We are really determined as a club to have our six or seven games in Melbourne for our Melbourne support base," explained Matthews.
"It has even be suggested we play games in Launceston, but the problem is that would reduce our Melbourne games and we are determined to maintain our quota of games for our supporters there."