WAFC - Get a Plane

[Bestbird]

This was mentioned on 6pr tonight and has been a discussion point a few times before in the media.

Considering all the criticism of the draw by both clubs CEO's

Surely with all the money that WCE and Freo are making currently the WAFC could buy/lease a plan and fit it out with the players comfort and after game rehabilitation in mind.

Seems an obvious solution. They could even sell some seats to the corporate types which would help with the costs.

And if your reading this Nessie and thinks its time to implement the plan. Gimme a ride on the first flight otherwise i might get a tad depressed .

 

[Big Cox]

This was mentioned on 6pr tonight and has been a discussion point a few times before in the media.

Considering all the criticism of the draw by both clubs CEO's

Surely with all the money that WCE and Freo are making currently the WAFC could buy/lease a plan and fit it out with the players comfort and after game rehabilitation in mind.

Seems an obvious solution. They could even sell some seats to the corporate types which would help with the costs.

And if your reading this Nessie and thinks its time to implement the plan. Gimme a ride on the first flight otherwise i might get a tad depressed .

Screw that. Just pick up MCG and place it in the middle of the Swan River. I reckon the club could afford to rent a plane every week. So i dont see why not. I still think resting players is the way to go

 

[royalist]

I think it,s about time the AFL had a plane that could move teams around the country. Like the Socceroos this year they could have massage tables and more room for seating. This happens in the US.

 

[TheGhostOfJohnBelushi]

Or they could even chip in with other WA clubs like the Warriors, Wildcats, Glory to pay for a state-of-the-art aircraft to travel in.

 

[zero]

Or they could even chip in with other WA clubs like the Warriors, Wildcats, Glory to pay for a state-of-the-art aircraft to travel in.

thats a very interesting idea, and with the exception of the rare case that both teams are travelling in the same week of the finals, it wouldnt clash.

hmmmm, paying a 40+ touring party flights 20+ weeks of the year. at 300 bucks each thats about a quarter mill in flights for the eagles and dockers just for the home and away, not including finals.

they rent it out at competitive rates to the warriors, glory and wildcats when they can (or even the crows, say on derby weekends, split rounds or finals weekends when there are no WA teams playing), and keep it in use, then they can expect a pretty fair return on it yearly.

if the plane lasts 15 or 20 years, then it might be worthwhile.

probably really help the bad rehab situation

 

[Mr Eagle]

And the club could offer room in the cargo hold for fans who want cheap airfares to away games

 

[greennick]

I've thought they should get a plane for a long time.

I reckon just as good would be a house in Melbourne for the Dockers/Eagles to use during the home and away season.

A home away from home. Although, I don't know if it will be worth it given how little they are playing in Melbourne this year!

 

[West Coast 06]

A plane would be better than a house. If they had their own plane they could at least fly to and from destinations on their own schedules not the airlines. They could be made a lot more comfortable for the players too.

 

[greennick]

A plane would be better than a house. If they had their own plane they could at least fly to and from destinations on their own schedules not the airlines. They could be made a lot more comfortable for the players too.

I agree a plane would likely be more helpful, particularly when you consider the number of games played in Melbourne. However, while we are throwing money around, we may as well get into the property market too!

 

[Reveler]

this is a great idea. wonder why they haven't done it.

I don't know the costs of owning a private jet, but it would be pretty pricey.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Considering we'd have to fly 25 players, coaching panel, doctors/physio and other support staff, we'd be looking for a plane that can carry 40-odd people. We'd be looking at a cost of $50million-odd for a plane big enough.

Then you have to factor in running and maintenance costs, and you'd probably be looking at spending little fortune a year on that alone.

Its not a financially viable option.

 

[greennick]

Considering we'd have to fly 25 players, coaching panel, doctors/physio and other support staff, we'd be looking for a plane that can carry 40-odd people. We'd be looking at a cost of $50million-odd for a plane big enough.

Then you have to factor in running and maintenance costs, and you'd probably be looking at spending little fortune a year on that alone.

Its not a financially viable option.

You could lease a plane instead of buying one, but it would still cost a small fortune every year. It is a great idea, but I'm sure the WAFC can spend the money better elsewhere. They can afford to do it in the US because you are dealing with teams worth 500m to a billion. As great as the AFL is, we have to remember that our entire country is smaller than the supporter base of some of NFL and MBL teams.

Still, we can dream...

I wonder what the actual cost of a 767 or 737 is. I think they would want one of those planes. But I do not know very much about planes! Virgin uses 737's to Perth, right? I would wager they would not get much change from 100m if they bought it. Probably around 5m a year to rent (plus maintenance charges?). Not cheap!

Some kind of home base in Melbourne would be way cheaper and would actually keep its value! I reckon there would be a similar if not greater difference to getting a plane, after all, the airlines are fairly efficient and the players do fly business!