View Full Version : Kennett criticises Demetriou over Gold Coast 'aggression'
scottwade
2 Nov 2007, 23:38
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/kennett-slams-afl-over-roos/2007/11/02/1193619148336.html
HAWTHORN president Jeff Kennett has delivered a stinging broadside to AFL chief Andrew Demetriou, calling him "very aggressive" and saying he was relying on threats to force the Kangaroos to move to the Gold Coast.
Kennett said the AFL's vow to establish a 17th club was unnecessary and criticised it for failing to consult club presidents.
"The AFL is not Andrew Demetriou's asset, he is a servant of the code. While I think Andrew is a good CEO for the AFL he is at times very aggressive and I don't think he follows proper protocol. There are times when he steps right outside his area of responsibility and I think this is yet another one of those.
"I'm not opposed to the concept of opening up a club on the Gold Coast but I'm certainly opposed to the idea of having an existing club threatened by a concept that has not been discussed."
uh oh, the hawks supporters on here are gunna want him sacked :)
woosh_era
2 Nov 2007, 23:47
Dimetriou knows how to play the media. Good on him for putting this on the agenda... and I think thats the first time ive ever said that. Most of Australia want this and its good he is in the face of the Vic lobby representing us and the common good.
Kennett is just playing the 'might be next, lets not set a precedent' card. Or the 'solidarity' one... not sure. Either way he was always good for a laugh and never has been particularly sincere.
We dont call him Vlad for nothing
DarwinRoo
3 Nov 2007, 01:17
Dimetriou knows how to play the media. Good on him for putting this on the agenda... and I think thats the first time ive ever said that. Most of Australia want this and its good he is in the face of the Vic lobby representing us and the common good.
Kennett is just playing the 'might be next, lets not set a precedent' card. Or the 'solidarity' one... not sure. Either way he was always good for a laugh and never has been particularly sincere.
Are you kidding? Since when? How many Rugby League supporters really give two shits if an AFL team is on the GC?
yioughtta
3 Nov 2007, 01:22
Dimetriou knows how to play the media. Good on him for putting this on the agenda... and I think thats the first time ive ever said that. Most of Australia want this and its good he is in the face of the Vic lobby representing us and the common good.
Kennett is just playing the 'might be next, lets not set a precedent' card. Or the 'solidarity' one... not sure. Either way he was always good for a laugh and never has been particularly sincere.
Yes- ask anyone and I'm sure the response is 'I have no problem with the AFL trying to control every facet of the game and my club. In fact I can't wait till they knock on my club's door and say it's time to go 'expand the game' '.
BTW That same 'Vic lobby' made the game what it is today. Bit of respect.
Terry Tan
3 Nov 2007, 07:30
This is why Kennett is considered a (Victorian) legend.
thejester
3 Nov 2007, 07:41
Good on him.
I'm bemused as to why opposition supporters are so keen to support the AFL in this matter. This isn't just about the Roos, it's about AFL House's iron grip on the code and total disregard for the feelings of supporters in these sorts of matters. We've seen it umpteen times with rule changes, now they're trying to uproot a club in order to chase their Gold Coast fantasy. They need to be told that they're the servants of the people, not the guardians of some footballing utopia.
harmesy 37
3 Nov 2007, 07:54
The 17th club idea with Southport is a good idea in my opinion for one reason above all others.
IT SENDS A POSITIVE MESSAGE TO QUEENSLANDERS THAT THIS IS A QUEENSLAND CLUB - not a transported Victorian club.
Southport is a phenomenal success story from meagre beginnings. I like the idea of Southport being in the league. I like the idea of there being three black and white teams too. I would like to see Port Adelaide playing in their traditional guernseys - so you would have Collingwood, Port and Southport opening up a rivalry through their colours.
Messenger
3 Nov 2007, 08:50
Good on him.
I'm bemused as to why opposition supporters are so keen to support the AFL in this matter. This isn't just about the Roos, it's about AFL House's iron grip on the code and total disregard for the feelings of supporters in these sorts of matters. We've seen it umpteen times with rule changes, now they're trying to uproot a club in order to chase their Gold Coast fantasy. They need to be told that they're the servants of the people, not the guardians of some footballing utopia.
Agreed.
And I am bemused by how many people on this site want to dance on the grave of the NMFC right now, particularly as they are not yet dead. Especially when you consider the chequered financial pasts of some of our clubs.
Its a double edged sword, he also goes on to say...
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22693999%255E20322,00.html
But the Hawks boss does support the league's plan to relocate a Victorian team on the Gold Coast.
"Ten clubs are going to be very hard to support here financially," Kennett said.
"Three or four now get substantial amounts of money from the AFL to keep them going, to get them in the black, and that money runs out in about two years.
"I'm one who believes that you can't keep giving people money. If they don't get their act together then they should bear the consequences of that."
Funkalicous
3 Nov 2007, 11:58
The 17th club idea with Southport is a good idea in my opinion for one reason above all others.
IT SENDS A POSITIVE MESSAGE TO QUEENSLANDERS THAT THIS IS A QUEENSLAND CLUB - not a transported Victorian club.
Southport is a phenomenal success story from meagre beginnings. I like the idea of Southport being in the league. I like the idea of there being three black and white teams too. I would like to see Port Adelaide playing in their traditional guernseys - so you would have Collingwood, Port and Southport opening up a rivalry through their colours.
It would be great to have Southport join the competition!
But in all likelyhood, Kangaroos would die in a 17 team comp.
Ancient and Loyal
3 Nov 2007, 12:05
Southport aren't a success because of the Football club.
They're a success because they positioned themselves better than any other club to take away the Tweed Heads Seagulls pensioner base when Pokies were legalised in Queensland.
It'd be like pushing for Mounties or Carina to join the NRL...
harmesy 37
3 Nov 2007, 17:36
Southport aren't a success because of the Football club.
They're a success because they positioned themselves better than any other club to take away the Tweed Heads Seagulls pensioner base when Pokies were legalised in Queensland.
It'd be like pushing for Mounties or Carina to join the NRL...
Have you been to their clubhouse?
Put it this way - the Swans don't even have their own clubhouse. Southport have a revenue stream in pokies that the Swans - the so call highest profile club in NSW's biggest city - doesn't have.
The football club have won about 10 premierships in the last 15 years and have been the source of many AFL players. eg David Bain, Raines's son etc.
FootyJunkie
3 Nov 2007, 17:43
It would be great to have Southport join the competition!
But in all likelyhood, Kangaroos would die in a 17 team comp.
which is probably the idea the AFL have anyway, they would merge with the Sharks anyway or get dropped to the VFL
Have you been to their clubhouse?
Put it this way - the Swans don't even have their own clubhouse. Southport have a revenue stream in pokies that the Swans - the so call highest profile club in NSW's biggest city - doesn't have.
The football club have won about 10 premierships in the last 15 years and have been the source of many AFL players. eg David Bain, Raines's son etc.
The comp is a f...ing joke. Maybe the Blues should play up there, won't have to worry about tanking.
Southport aren't a success because of the Football club.
They're a success because they positioned themselves better than any other club to take away the Tweed Heads Seagulls pensioner base when Pokies were legalised in Queensland.
It'd be like pushing for Mounties or Carina to join the NRL...
Spot on. This is the reason why they have money. Norwood introduced Pokies a month or 2 back and they have increased their turnover 15 times.
The comp is a f...ing joke. Maybe the Blues should play up there, won't have to worry about tanking.
Two blokes came from that comp to WA and played B grade amateurs, one actually got dropped to the B reserves.... yes that comp must be very very poor.