Eddie McGuire Newsflash: Clubs own the AFL!

HFF

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Sep 25, 2006
Posts
14,346
Likes
6,644
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
FC Barcelona, Liverpool, FC Bayern
#26
Why does it always have to be the "greatest mind in football" to fly the flag for all clubs?

Ed is a genius. We all know that.

Why is it taking the other clubs so long to also realise this?

Clubs own and run the AFL.

It's exactly like the F1 scenario a few years back when all the teams where going to join together and create their own competition because they were unhappy with Bernie Ecclestone and F1.

People need to realise, we do not go to games to watch the Commission. We do not attend games to watch Adrian Anderson, Andrew Demetriou, Mike Fitzpatrick etc. We do not even go to watch AFL itself.

We all attend games to watch Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Geelong, Adelaide etc. The clubs ARE bigger than the game itself because without them there is no competition.

It's about time the AFL realised this too.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Zvim

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Mar 3, 2008
Posts
10,592
Likes
270
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
North Melbourne
#27
Response to AA's questioning of Collingwood comments on the Shane O'Bree "incident".
"Nor will Collingwood be gagged and treated as if we are a necessary inconvenience. It is about time people started to realise football clubs own the AFL, and we are not stakeholders or subsidiaries."

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25362318-19742,00.html

Now, I agree with this comment, but we have to be consistent with these ideas.
If Eddie were reading this, I would ask him, as a Port Adelaide supporter.
"If there was a referendum, and 11 of the 16 clubs (ie 2/3 majority) voted to allow Port Adelaide to wear the Prison Bar Guernsey as their home strip, would you accept the decision from the owners?
or
"If there was a referendum, and 11 of the 16 clubs (ie 2/3 majority) voted to open up the Anzac Day game to all teams on a rotation basis, would you accept the decision from the owners?
etc
etc
What other things can the owners of the AFL do?
The jumper vote already happened in the 40s or 50s I think, a condition of our entrance into the competition was that we would not wear the blue and white stripes. That was why we came in with the big V jumper. That was vetoed by a majority and we were allowed to wear our traditional jumper again.
 

Edward Teach

Team Captain
Joined
Feb 20, 2008
Posts
407
Likes
2
Location
Unley
Other Teams
Sturt FC
#28
Agree with Eddie but sadly, Eddie as shown above, has his facts wrong. Eddie (and others) have to accept that the AFL has a socialist structure in order to keep the competition level and keep all clubs alive. This can result (as in society) the lowest common denominator effect, where the best and brightest are held back in order that the weaker can prosper. Personally I and many others think the AFL should follow the free-market style EPL model where the clubs can control their destinies and become the best of the best. It is up to CLUBS to survive and there should be a relegation system to ensure reward of effort and merit. Strangely for someone like Eddie (who has declared himself a Labor man) he seems to not be happy with the AFL model which is based on the ALP/Socialist creed. Eddie needs to work out where he stands as he sends mixed messages with his hysterical rants. Comes across as though he just wants it all and really doesn't have any core convictions or support for the AFL system at all.
 

PowerForGood

Self-imposed Suspension to 2019.
Joined
Sep 1, 2006
Posts
14,800
Likes
12,178
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Liverpool FC
Thread starter #29
So under your mentality lets say that west sydney wanted to join the AFL and be called The Power and wear black white and teal, Port Adelaide would not have a problem with this ???

At the end of the day port is a minority club in the AFL and holds little or no political clout with the AFL.
No, not everything in this AFL world is about Adelaide Crows demeaning Port Adelaide. Thought you guys could maybe look past that occasionally, but obviously not. Your extreme example would only hold water if the 2/3 majority voted for it, I would say nigh on impossible.

According to Eddie, Port Adelaide (as a club) hold a 1/16 share in the AFL, like your beloved Crows. But the SANFL hold both licences and hold the true leverage, and how they use that leverage to support the two Adelaide teams is up to them.
 

PowerForGood

Self-imposed Suspension to 2019.
Joined
Sep 1, 2006
Posts
14,800
Likes
12,178
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Liverpool FC
Thread starter #30
Why does it always have to be the "greatest mind in football" to fly the flag for all clubs?

Ed is a genius. We all know that.

Why is it taking the other clubs so long to also realise this?

Clubs own and run the AFL.

It's exactly like the F1 scenario a few years back when all the teams where going to join together and create their own competition because they were unhappy with Bernie Ecclestone and F1.

People need to realise, we do not go to games to watch the Commission. We do not attend games to watch Adrian Anderson, Andrew Demetriou, Mike Fitzpatrick etc. We do not even go to watch AFL itself.

We all attend games to watch Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Geelong, Adelaide etc. The clubs ARE bigger than the game itself because without them there is no competition.

It's about time the AFL realised this too.
And I suppose that nothing happens in your household (assuming it contains more than 1 person) unless everyone agrees, or are there occasions when a single vote holds sway over the majority? ;)

But seriously though, you've left something out. By your rationale, we all attend games to watch the players on the field representing their club, not presidents spouting off how clubs own the AFL, or own colours (COLOURS FFS!), or that the umpires are too egotistical, etc etc etc.

So the AFL is nothing, but the president is a genius! :rolleyes:
 

PowerForGood

Self-imposed Suspension to 2019.
Joined
Sep 1, 2006
Posts
14,800
Likes
12,178
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Liverpool FC
Thread starter #31
the club is bigger than the individual
the game (AFL competition) is bigger than the club

that is why an independent commission was set up - to act in the best interests of the game as a whole rather than individual or a small group of clubs

if the majority of clubs are not happy, they have power to vote out the commission

that is why eddie is wrong, and on his own, again
Just a minor correction - the word independent IS a subjective one wrt this discussion. Independent in terms of the AFL competition, but certainly not in terms of Australian Rules Football. We used to have a true independent body in the ANFC, which was forced out by the AFL in the early 90's for being irrelevant, and then proceeded to pretty much ignore any history outside Victoria. It's a wonder we got permission for est 1870!
 
Joined
Jun 22, 2007
Posts
1,581
Likes
1
AFL Club
West Coast
#32
ed the talking mule,and jeff the bobbing dog..they should elope and run away together and open a maggot farm...they could invite the AFL up on weekends and all fish for floating turds........oops, sorry, its just how i feel? (doesnt have to make sense,just like the AFL!)
 

Magpie Ink

Premium Platinum
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Posts
827
Likes
953
Location
VIC
AFL Club
Collingwood
#33
Response to AA's questioning of Collingwood comments on the Shane O'Bree "incident".
"Nor will Collingwood be gagged and treated as if we are a necessary inconvenience. It is about time people started to realise football clubs own the AFL, and we are not stakeholders or subsidiaries."

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25362318-19742,00.html

Now, I agree with this comment, but we have to be consistent with these ideas.
If Eddie were reading this, I would ask him, as a Port Adelaide supporter.
"If there was a referendum, and 11 of the 16 clubs (ie 2/3 majority) voted to allow Port Adelaide to wear the Prison Bar Guernsey as their home strip, would you accept the decision from the owners?
or
"If there was a referendum, and 11 of the 16 clubs (ie 2/3 majority) voted to open up the Anzac Day game to all teams on a rotation basis, would you accept the decision from the owners?
etc
etc
What other things can the owners of the AFL do?
As a Port Adelaide Power supporter you would know that it was a condition of joining the AFL that you had to change your colours and mascot or did you think they just wanted a change and a fresh start
 

greennick

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Posts
17,516
Likes
3,066
Location
Boom town
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Steelers & Penguins
#34
At the end of the day, its is the clubs and its players that draw people to the games. They are the AFL's biggest assets.

If any other organisation were to treat its staff the way the AFL treats its clubs and players then the whole place would strike.

The AFL practices censorship, gives clubs no say and changes the rules every year. Imagine an organisation did this.


Hate Eddie, you are entitled to...but you have to admit that this current administration is destroying the fabrics of our game.
Destroying th efabric of the game??? Hahaha, don't be so melodramatic. AD and AA are doing fine at running the AFL. You ridiculous hyperbole just makes you look silly.

Collingwood are being petulant turds as usual. They have no valid point, they are being twats about the umps since the preseason. Why do you think nobody is backing them up?? Maybe they think this is what their bogan fans want, them to attack the umpires for some reason.

The AFL tries to look out for all clubs and the game of AFL in general. I can't think of many decisions they have made that fly in the face of this. Clubs on the other hand are self-serving entities that only look after themselves and comment on what serves them best.
 

Magpie Ink

Premium Platinum
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Posts
827
Likes
953
Location
VIC
AFL Club
Collingwood
#35
It started out with the Power wanting to wear the prison bars on hertiage round, next it was 3-4 games a year, then as their home strip. Before you know it the Power will want to wear it for all games and be known as Port Adelaide Magpies for home games, where does it stop?

And before anyone has go at my post, just think what you would say if one of the new teams came in with the same colours, same jumper design and same mascot as your team.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

MarkT

Hall of Famer
Joined
Oct 1, 2001
Posts
32,669
Likes
33
Location
Melb
AFL Club
Collingwood
#37
Agree with Eddie but sadly, Eddie as shown above, has his facts wrong. Eddie (and others) have to accept that the AFL has a socialist structure in order to keep the competition level and keep all clubs alive. This can result (as in society) the lowest common denominator effect, where the best and brightest are held back in order that the weaker can prosper. Personally I and many others think the AFL should follow the free-market style EPL model where the clubs can control their destinies and become the best of the best. It is up to CLUBS to survive and there should be a relegation system to ensure reward of effort and merit. Strangely for someone like Eddie (who has declared himself a Labor man) he seems to not be happy with the AFL model which is based on the ALP/Socialist creed. Eddie needs to work out where he stands as he sends mixed messages with his hysterical rants. Comes across as though he just wants it all and really doesn't have any core convictions or support for the AFL system at all.
You have it all arse about I’m afraid. Eddie is an avid supporter of the draft and salary cap. He is an avid supporter of the AFL bargaining a collective and shared television deal. I think you bias toward Eddie clouds you ability to look and see. As far as the ALF go, the communists left the building a long time back. Hell, even the unionists that get a run believe if reward for effort. Social justice is not socialism.
 
Joined
Aug 11, 2008
Posts
2,545
Likes
2,448
Location
Carlton
AFL Club
Carlton
#38
Eddie needs to realise that he does not speak on behalf of all clubs. He speaks - or shreaks on behalf of just one club - Collingwood. When he complains about the umpiring, is he really complaining on behalf of all clubs? When was the last time he complained on behalf of an opposition club that got a raw deal from the umpires?

Clubs may own the AFL in some constitutional sense, but that does not equal Collingwood owning the AFL. Collingwood is not the great club its supporters claim it to be. Let us remember that Collingwood, for all its bleating and carping is one of the least successful teams over the last 50 years. Is this why they are so shrill? Do they think the conspiracy to deny them has been alive this long? Presumably Eddie's umpire angst can be traced back as far as Wayne Harms (the ball was in, by the way).

Eddie overstretched himself in business, and got boned and has stayed on too long as Collingwood president. But as I have previously stated, as a Carlton fan, I am happy for Eddie to stay at the helm of Collingwood for as long as he wants. I am happy for him to usurp the role of his CEO and I am happy for him to rip into his players for being fat, hanging out with scaly mates and denying him gold logie after gold logie.
 

swan14

Cancelled
Joined
Jul 8, 2008
Posts
455
Likes
26
AFL Club
Sydney
Other Teams
Tottenham FC
#39
I've never been a big fan of Eddie's media outbursts, and as a rule of thumb I completely ignore all words that come out of Kennett's mouth.

However, at the moment I'm very disillusioned with the direction the game is going, at all levels from on field to the administration.

I feel someone needs to stick it to the man. Whether the path Eddie has chosen is the best way of achieving solutions is another question. Probably not. But I'm sure there are a number of other clubs that aren't too happy with where the game is going but probably don't enjoy the 'big club' status that the pies hold to speak their mind on a number of issues.

We shouldn't be talking about umpires and administrative issues etc etc, but rather whats happening on the field. Which I think Eddie was sort of getting at. Maybe:thumbsu:
 

ITS ME

Team Captain
Joined
Aug 6, 2008
Posts
488
Likes
4
Location
freo
AFL Club
West Coast
#40
Collingwood are stake holders in the game, not the owners of the game. If Collingwood went tomorrow would the game survive of course it would. If the AFL closed tomorrow would the game survive without money being evenly distributed , television rights etc. Obviously the answer is no, and Big Ed should pull his head in .
 

Del Piero

All Australian
Suspended
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Posts
797
Likes
3
Location
Perth
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Azzurri
#41
So the clubs own the AFL and Cwood is the biggest club, so Cwood are the biggest owners...Is that right Eddie..????


Cant see where Eddie is going with this :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
But looks like he has convinced some mental giants on the subject:eek:
 
Joined
May 3, 2005
Posts
87,791
Likes
82,044
Location
Brisbane
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Scuderia Ferrari, Dallas Cowboys
Moderator #42
Heh, kind of reminds me when I told a school teacher that "my school fees pay your salary".

It was all true, but didn't stop me getting in a shitload of trouble for it.
 

magilla

Club Legend
Joined
Sep 10, 2006
Posts
1,317
Likes
2
Location
Wild West
AFL Club
Collingwood
#44
Have any of you Eddie bashers actually read the article?

He has a one line throw away quote that the clubs own the AFL, he is basically saying the game is going to shit and we are not going to shut up to please the AFL, simple really.

The OP quoted irrelevant bits of the article just to bleat about Port Power and their sister clubs jumper.

This quote sums up Eddies points much better.

McGuire said the Pies had concerns about players being suspended for minor issues.
"This is exactly the stuff we are worried about at the moment - footballers getting rubbed out as if it's no big deal," he said.

"We want to get it back to a game where the footballers are the stars and the object is getting to the ball first, instead of players staging for free kicks, and hysteria reigning supreme."
 

relapse

Moderator
Joined
Jun 21, 2004
Posts
23,682
Likes
17,316
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Adelaide
Other Teams
49ers, AFC Wimbledon, Utah Jazz
Moderator #45
:rolleyes:

You might want to try actually reading the original post and applying a little something called "comprehension". If you're able.
I did read it and it was just subterfuge to have another pointless discussion about Port wearing prison bars which no-one really cares about.
 

relapse

Moderator
Joined
Jun 21, 2004
Posts
23,682
Likes
17,316
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Adelaide
Other Teams
49ers, AFC Wimbledon, Utah Jazz
Moderator #46
It started out with the Power wanting to wear the prison bars on hertiage round, next it was 3-4 games a year, then as their home strip. Before you know it the Power will want to wear it for all games and be known as Port Adelaide Magpies for home games, where does it stop?

And before anyone has go at my post, just think what you would say if one of the new teams came in with the same colours, same jumper design and same mascot as your team.
That's exactly what I said, and I got told that I wasnt reading the post properly, but the subject was just an excuse to start another thread sooking about Port not wearing black and white stripes etc

I am sure that in the 80s that if a side wanted to join the SANFL and be called the Magpies and wear black white Port would have let it happen :rolleyes:

I am sick of Port supporters trying to spin the hard done by angle. Port knew all of this before joining. The whole jumper argument is a moot point because Collingwood arent going to share their marketing with an opposition club, black and white and magpies is part of Collingwoods marketing and Collingwood shouldnt have to share that with anyone just like Port shouldnt have to share their colours and moniker if another team wanted to use it.

It wont ever happen, ever.
 

HFF

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Sep 25, 2006
Posts
14,346
Likes
6,644
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
FC Barcelona, Liverpool, FC Bayern
#47
And I suppose that nothing happens in your household (assuming it contains more than 1 person) unless everyone agrees, or are there occasions when a single vote holds sway over the majority? ;)

But seriously though, you've left something out. By your rationale, we all attend games to watch the players on the field representing their club, not presidents spouting off how clubs own the AFL, or own colours (COLOURS FFS!), or that the umpires are too egotistical, etc etc etc.

So the AFL is nothing, but the president is a genius! :rolleyes:
I think you are missing the point.

Why wouldn't all clubs be "in it" together?

They all prosper together and they all suffer together.

United, the clubs own and run the AFL.

As you say, if there isn't an agreeance across the board, then the clubs' power is vulnerable.

This is the exact point Ed is trying to make. The AFL think they are the superpower and hold reign over everyone and everything in the competition. Truth of the matter is, if the clubs all opted to start their own league, the AFL would be NOTHING! Non-existant. Perished.

Whilst we attend to watch "the players", it is still the CLUB that we want to go and watch. If a player ala Judd isn't playing tomorrow, Carlton fans won't stop attending. The player's change but the game stays the same.

Like the old cliche goes, "united we stand, divided we fall".
 

Magpie Ink

Premium Platinum
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Posts
827
Likes
953
Location
VIC
AFL Club
Collingwood
#48
That's exactly what I said, and I got told that I wasnt reading the post properly, but the subject was just an excuse to start another thread sooking about Port not wearing black and white stripes etc

I am sure that in the 80s that if a side wanted to join the SANFL and be called the Magpies and wear black white Port would have let it happen :rolleyes:

I am sick of Port supporters trying to spin the hard done by angle. Port knew all of this before joining. The whole jumper argument is a moot point because Collingwood arent going to share their marketing with an opposition club, black and white and magpies is part of Collingwoods marketing and Collingwood shouldnt have to share that with anyone just like Port shouldnt have to share their colours and moniker if another team wanted to use it.

It wont ever happen, ever.
Couldn't have said it better myself:thumbsu:
 

greennick

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Posts
17,516
Likes
3,066
Location
Boom town
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Steelers & Penguins
#49
I think you are missing the point.

Why wouldn't all clubs be "in it" together?

They all prosper together and they all suffer together.

United, the clubs own and run the AFL.

As you say, if there isn't an agreeance across the board, then the clubs' power is vulnerable.

This is the exact point Ed is trying to make. The AFL think they are the superpower and hold reign over everyone and everything in the competition. Truth of the matter is, if the clubs all opted to start their own league, the AFL would be NOTHING! Non-existant. Perished.

Whilst we attend to watch "the players", it is still the CLUB that we want to go and watch. If a player ala Judd isn't playing tomorrow, Carlton fans won't stop attending. The player's change but the game stays the same.

Like the old cliche goes, "united we stand, divided we fall".
But most AFL clubs support the AFL and their position trying to support the umpires, so they aren't going to be supporting Eddie.

Eddie is just having a sad because HIS player got rubbed out for touching an ump in anger. Something all players know not to do. Most other clubs wouldn't support him on it because they don't agree with his position.

The funniest thing is, wasn't Heath Shaw vehemently disagreeing with a decision that was clearly right??

By the way, the clubs can't start their own league, because the AFL owns everything about the clubs. It is a strange symbiotic relationship, but it works if you don't get so worked up about decisions which are clearly made with the long-run view of all clubs taken into account.
 

magilla

Club Legend
Joined
Sep 10, 2006
Posts
1,317
Likes
2
Location
Wild West
AFL Club
Collingwood
#50
By the way, the clubs can't start their own league, because the AFL owns everything about the clubs. It is a strange symbiotic relationship, but it works if you don't get so worked up about decisions which are clearly made with the long-run view of all clubs taken into account.
They could start their own league.
Slight modifications of exisiting names and jumpers is all they would need to do.
 
Top Bottom