Ryz
1 Nov 2007, 09:04
AFL should provide all facts on move
01 November 2007 Herald Sun
Damian Barrett
THERE are only two ways to look at the AFL's Gold Coast project, writes Damian Barrett.
One, the AFL knows loads more than it is telling the public, or two, it is bluffing in its claims it will introduce a 17th licence to the competition.
Despite hurtling at Ben Johnson-on-drugs speed toward establishing a permanent presence in south-east Queensland, the AFL, simply, is yet to publicly produce compelling evidence supporting the venture.
And why has 2010 become the year by which it just must be done?
It was made clear to the Kangaroos' board yesterday that the AFL sees the club dying if it stays in Melbourne.
Yet many at the Kangaroos see themselves as dead if they leave.
The reports the AFL has on North's viability in Melbourne must be the opposite to what it has on the club being based on the Gold Coast.
If that is the case, tell us.
Listen to the AFL talk about the south-east Queensland corner and you almost picture gold flowing through the Gold Coast canals and maybe even a flag within three years is possible.
With the Kangaroos wanting to stay in Melbourne, the AFL is stepping up its talk of a 17th licence.
Remember, this new club would be based in the same postcode (best described as containing a transient population) as the last one that was established from scratch.
That was a raging success, wasn't it?
And how would it be done this time around? Surely, each club would have to give up a gun player.
That would go down well with the other clubs, wouldn't it?
So we'd have the Lions based at the Gabba and down the highway we'd have another AFL club. Two teams in a market that is clearly developing.
Not predicting gloom and doom, but imagine if both clubs went through extended patches of mediocrity at the same time.
What happens with Carrara stadium, the same largely derelict one abandoned by the Bears years ago?
Yes, we have heard talk of a redevelopment. But when? At what cost to football? And, remember, the Queensland State Government is already committed up to its eyeballs to the refurbishment of the Gabba.
Again, the AFL may well have answers for all of these and other queries pertaining to the Gold Coast.
But it is yet to let the football public in on them, and it needs to.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/foo...E19742,00.html (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22683570%255E19742,00.html)
01 November 2007 Herald Sun
Damian Barrett
THERE are only two ways to look at the AFL's Gold Coast project, writes Damian Barrett.
One, the AFL knows loads more than it is telling the public, or two, it is bluffing in its claims it will introduce a 17th licence to the competition.
Despite hurtling at Ben Johnson-on-drugs speed toward establishing a permanent presence in south-east Queensland, the AFL, simply, is yet to publicly produce compelling evidence supporting the venture.
And why has 2010 become the year by which it just must be done?
It was made clear to the Kangaroos' board yesterday that the AFL sees the club dying if it stays in Melbourne.
Yet many at the Kangaroos see themselves as dead if they leave.
The reports the AFL has on North's viability in Melbourne must be the opposite to what it has on the club being based on the Gold Coast.
If that is the case, tell us.
Listen to the AFL talk about the south-east Queensland corner and you almost picture gold flowing through the Gold Coast canals and maybe even a flag within three years is possible.
With the Kangaroos wanting to stay in Melbourne, the AFL is stepping up its talk of a 17th licence.
Remember, this new club would be based in the same postcode (best described as containing a transient population) as the last one that was established from scratch.
That was a raging success, wasn't it?
And how would it be done this time around? Surely, each club would have to give up a gun player.
That would go down well with the other clubs, wouldn't it?
So we'd have the Lions based at the Gabba and down the highway we'd have another AFL club. Two teams in a market that is clearly developing.
Not predicting gloom and doom, but imagine if both clubs went through extended patches of mediocrity at the same time.
What happens with Carrara stadium, the same largely derelict one abandoned by the Bears years ago?
Yes, we have heard talk of a redevelopment. But when? At what cost to football? And, remember, the Queensland State Government is already committed up to its eyeballs to the refurbishment of the Gabba.
Again, the AFL may well have answers for all of these and other queries pertaining to the Gold Coast.
But it is yet to let the football public in on them, and it needs to.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/foo...E19742,00.html (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22683570%255E19742,00.html)