The White-Ant Files #1 - The Canberra experiment

[Mobbs]

Compiled by Roylion and stated by he, and often by Wonaeamirri33, to argue against ignorance when discussing Fitzroy's AFL fate.

1- Fitzroy was refused permission by the AFL to partially relocate to Canberra, and play seven home games there each season, despite having negotiated a deal which would have netted the Club an extra million dollars a year.

Initially, the club was told that Fitzroy's application to play 4 home games in Canberra (which would have netted the club $350,000 annually guaranteed) would "not be a credible exercise" in the Canberra market and would "not be enough games to be worthwhile."

Ross Oakley later said, in an amazingly offensive public statement, that Fitzroy was their 'worst product" and that the AFL wasn't going to send their 'worst product" up to Canberra. (Very clear that the aim of such a statement was to damage the public reputation of Fitzroy)

Fitzroy then offered to play, as I said, 7 home games in Canberra, which would have netted Fitzroy at least $700,000 a year. In fact, when adding in corporate sponsorship, and ground rights at Bruce Stadium (which would have been upgraded), Fitzroy's projections showed they would have made $1 million extra per season.

Fitzroy's application had the support of the 'AFL for Canberra' organisation, the Canberra Raiders, the Ainslie Football Club and the ACT chief minister, who offered to upgrade Bruce Stadium. However, the AFL point-blank refused to entertain the idea. An AFL commissioner later admitted that the reason why the AFL knocked it back was because they wanted Port Adelaide in the competition, and wanted to keep the pressure on Fitzroy to "merge".

Discuss ...

 

[Stats Man]

How does the afl escape criticism from
Media outlets for this??
What was the reaction & momentum in the media back then?

 

[Soul1986]

How does the afl escape criticism from
Media outlets for this??
What was the reaction & momentum in the media back then?

A number of key media outlets (print media in particular) seemed to be in bed with the AFL back then.

Lots of articles with details about Fitzroy's financial position, other struggles etc would appear in the papers. It wasnt provided by Fitzroy....

The reality is that with the AFL working against us, our only real hope was to have a wealthy backer, like a Joe Gutnick come in and get the club back on its feet.

Unfortunately, I feel the Fitzroy administration at the time, probably didnt do enough to get a benefactor involved.

Sure, they approached Grollo and other wealthy people in 1995/96. But, by this time, Fitzroy were a total basket case, with a skeleton football team, playing at the worst venue (Western Oval) in front of paltry crowds.

This move, should have been made in the early 90s. Particularly, around 1992/1993 or IMMEDIATELY after the Westpac debacle at the end of 1992. We had a good team, and pulled AFL average crowds for most matches played at Princes Park. Bar some matches against interstate teams (like all Vic clubs).

Trying to get a wealthy benefactor involved in 1995/1996, was too late.......