SWANSBEST
10th June 2003, 04:43 PM
I have heard Downie interviewed a few times and he is always on the money . He is very logical and not afraid to go for the jugular if he considers that he is on solid ground . His description of Bracks as 'arrogant and ill informed ' is spot on . I would have thought that Bracks' comments were most 'opportunistic and hypocritical' by playing politics to a football mad Victorian public.
Downie hits back at Bracks
12:24:16 PM Tue 10 June, 2003
Jordan Chong
afl.com.au
Related Content:
MCC holds firm over finals agreement
Brisbane Lions chairman Graham Downie has hit back at comments by Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, who spoke in support of the Melbourne Cricket Club?s insistence on hosting finals in Melbourne.
In a statement released by the club, Downie described the Victorian premier?s comments as disappointing and as a ?classic example of those Victorians who are still not prepared to fully embrace the national competition?.
?He has no interest in a fair and equitable finals system ? that is un-Australian,? Downie added.
?However, forcing us to play other finals there as well when we have earned the right to host the game at home is clearly unfair, and Steve Bracks knows that. He has got his head stuck in the sand.?
Speaking before Monday?s Queen?s Birthday clash at the MCG, Bracks used words like ?opportunistic? and ?hypocritical? to describe premiers from Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales, who wrote to Bracks requesting any finals not involving Victorian clubs be played out of Melbourne.
"They wouldn't know Australian rules football rules if they were here at the ground," Bracks added.
Downie responded by saying those comments were arrogant and ill-informed, adding: ?They have been playing Australian football in WA and SA for 120 years, and had a viable senior competition in Queensland for most of last century.?
?Peter Beattie is a sports enthusiast who has attended many of our games including the last two grand finals. Whilst he would admit he is still learning, he certainly has a very good appreciation of our game and is very supportive of the Brisbane Lions and AFL football in this state.?
The Lions chairman acknowledged that only logical venue for the grand final was the MCG, but urged the relevant stakeholders to ?formulate an appropriate compensation package? for the Melbourne Cricket Club should they miss out on any finals.
?Even playing the Grand Final at the MCG each year provides an advantage to Victorian clubs, but all non-Victorian clubs accept that the MCG is the best stadium for our Grand Final.
?I have advocated for some time that the matter can be and should be resolved by the AFL and MCC agreeing to an amount as compensation. This whole issue is about money so let?s resolve it with money.?
Under the current arrangement, the MCG must host the grand final, one preliminary final and under a ?banking? system, six finals in the first two weeks of the finals series in any three year period.http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=98138
Downie hits back at Bracks
12:24:16 PM Tue 10 June, 2003
Jordan Chong
afl.com.au
Related Content:
MCC holds firm over finals agreement
Brisbane Lions chairman Graham Downie has hit back at comments by Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, who spoke in support of the Melbourne Cricket Club?s insistence on hosting finals in Melbourne.
In a statement released by the club, Downie described the Victorian premier?s comments as disappointing and as a ?classic example of those Victorians who are still not prepared to fully embrace the national competition?.
?He has no interest in a fair and equitable finals system ? that is un-Australian,? Downie added.
?However, forcing us to play other finals there as well when we have earned the right to host the game at home is clearly unfair, and Steve Bracks knows that. He has got his head stuck in the sand.?
Speaking before Monday?s Queen?s Birthday clash at the MCG, Bracks used words like ?opportunistic? and ?hypocritical? to describe premiers from Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales, who wrote to Bracks requesting any finals not involving Victorian clubs be played out of Melbourne.
"They wouldn't know Australian rules football rules if they were here at the ground," Bracks added.
Downie responded by saying those comments were arrogant and ill-informed, adding: ?They have been playing Australian football in WA and SA for 120 years, and had a viable senior competition in Queensland for most of last century.?
?Peter Beattie is a sports enthusiast who has attended many of our games including the last two grand finals. Whilst he would admit he is still learning, he certainly has a very good appreciation of our game and is very supportive of the Brisbane Lions and AFL football in this state.?
The Lions chairman acknowledged that only logical venue for the grand final was the MCG, but urged the relevant stakeholders to ?formulate an appropriate compensation package? for the Melbourne Cricket Club should they miss out on any finals.
?Even playing the Grand Final at the MCG each year provides an advantage to Victorian clubs, but all non-Victorian clubs accept that the MCG is the best stadium for our Grand Final.
?I have advocated for some time that the matter can be and should be resolved by the AFL and MCC agreeing to an amount as compensation. This whole issue is about money so let?s resolve it with money.?
Under the current arrangement, the MCG must host the grand final, one preliminary final and under a ?banking? system, six finals in the first two weeks of the finals series in any three year period.http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=98138