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SWANSBEST
9th March 2003, 07:06 PM
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,6100564-2

Crows anger over venue choice
March 9, 2003

THE AFL has ruled that Saturday night's Wizard Cup final between the Adelaide and Collingwood will be played at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

The verdict comes despite Adelaide having played in Darwin two weeks ago and follows the Crows' torrid finals series last year, when they played three successive away finals despite finishing third after 22 rounds.

Collingwood, which beat Geelong by 37 points last night to reach their first pre-season final, have played all three Wizard Cup games at Telstra Dome.

The decision disappointed Adelaide, which beat the Kangaroos by four points last night at AAMI Stadium.

"We felt there was a half a dozen reasons why we could have held the final over here," Crows chief executive Steven Trigg said.

"We are disappointed, very disappointed on that basis because we were confident of getting 35,000 people here and our members have been denied an opportunity to go the footy."

But Collingwood president Eddie McGuire hit back, saying "you would have to be an idiot" to stage a grand final involving Collingwood anywhere outside Melbourne.

AFL football operations manager Andrew Demetriou said a Melbourne final would maximise Collingwood's huge drawing power and allow 6,000 AFL members to attend.

Demetriou said the Telstra Dome roof would also ensure weather would not ruin the game as a spectacle.

"This was an extremely difficult decision as both clubs have earned the right to play in the grand final with very strong form over the last three weeks," he said.

Trigg said Adelaide were never confident of hosting the final.

"We had a couple of opportunities last year where we thought we had earned the right to host games and didn't, so you can't make a major issue out of it, we're just disappointed," he said.

"The league will say we only drew 18,000 for a semi-final against the Kangaroos, but a semi-final against the Kangaroos is nothing compared to hosting a final against Collingwood."

McGuire said the Magpies were the competition's proven drawcard and would help the AFL give the pre-season sponsor maximum exposure.

"Last night was a mini test for Adelaide and they only drew 18,000 with nothing else on," he said.

"Last night (against Geelong) we drew 24,000 in the middle of the Grand Prix.

"Collingwood fans always turn out and until the Adelaide sporting public turns up they won't be able to host it."

McGuire said the AFL should clarify the venue of each pre-season final - allowing for non-Victorian teams - before the series began.

Demetriou acknowledged the Magpies had not left Victoria, but said Collingwood should not be penalised because results fell their way.

Collingwood will not have to venture interstate until they play Brisbane at the Gabba in round four.

Despite the debate, both clubs have declared they will treat the game as more than a practice match.

Trigg said playing in front of a hostile crowd would give the Crows players invaluable experience for the home and away season.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said the Magpies would go all out to win the game to enjoy the thrill of a winning a premiership.

"None of (our players) have won a premiership, an AFL premiership of any description, that's how significant it is," Malthouse said last night.

"The next game in your life is the most important one ... we've gone beyond the practice match stage, there's a bit of silverware in this one and the club hasn't won a pre-season ever."[URL]http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,6100564-23211,00.html

NMWBloods
9th March 2003, 07:33 PM
This is such a crock - bloody Eddie and his double-standards!

Mike_B
9th March 2003, 08:17 PM
Originally posted by SWANSBEST
Collingwood will not have to venture interstate until they play Brisbane at the Gabba in round four.

Typical isn't it? They play all their pre-season games in Melbourne, don't have to play away until Round 4, and yet I'm sure that Eddie will still find something about the draw to complain about.

CureTheSane
9th March 2003, 10:34 PM
As long as the AFL uses reasons such as drawing power and melbourne AFL members for things like this, it will not be a turely national competition.

Here is an opportunity for Adelaide to host a big game, and what do the AFL do? deny them.

Adelaide have travelled so far this year - Collingwood haven't
That is reason enough.

Eddie is so full of **** it's literally coming out his eyeballs.

I loved the Grand Prix comment too.
The GP that Eddie NO LONGER HOSTS.
That always pissed me off Darrel Eastlake and AJ hosted every GP all year, excpt for the Melb one, where Eddie came in and read his lines with his very basic knowlegde as a back up.

And ch10 used their own commentary for the race.
I hope they don't continue that all year - very boring...

Norris Lurker
10th March 2003, 12:01 AM
Considering the Crows were shafted out of a home final that was rightfully theirs because of the MCC contract last year, the least the AFL could have done to make up for that would have been to play next week's game in Adelaide.

Cheer Cheer
10th March 2003, 08:40 PM
Originally posted by Norris Lurker
Considering the Crows were shafted out of a home final that was rightfully theirs because of the MCC contract last year, the least the AFL could have done to make up for that would have been to play next week's game in Adelaide.

Fair point