Blues, Tigers' game shock
02 September 2003 Herald Sun
By MICHAEL STEVENs
AFL chief executive elect Andrew Demetriou said last night Carlton and Richmond had not earned the right to host blockbusters next year.
He said fans could expect major changes in the 2004 fixture, which was already well advanced.
"I don't think they've earned the right to be part of the blockbuster (loop). I don't think Carlton or Richmond own blockbusters," Demetriou said on Talking Footy last night.
"The fact of the matter is, this year, some of our best crowds have come from outside Victoria."
New features are likely to include more "event" games and blockbusters featuring non-Victorian teams and Melbourne clubs outside the "Big Four", including St Kilda and the Kangaroos.
"They (St Kilda) have probably earned the right to command some blockbusters," Demetriou said.
"I think St Kilda-Richmond as an Easter Monday game is an event that warrants consideration for next year."
The Blues and Tigers have traditionally been scheduled for blockbuster games against Victorian powerhouses Collingwood and Essendon.
But the clubs' drawing power has reflected their poor performances over the past two years; the Carlton-Richmond game in Round 12 drew just 36,557 at the MCG.
Demetriou flagged the disappearance next season of the controversial "holding the ball" penalty for ruckmen grabbing the ball out of the ruck and being tackled.
"We discussed this at the last Laws of the Game Committee meeting and general consensus was that we're a bit harsh on ruckmen there," he said.
"It is a skill, ruckmen do grab and we've agreed to review it at the end of the season. I do expect a change there (back to what it was before this year)."
Saturday night's blockbuster qualifying final between Collingwood and Brisbane at the MCG could be shown live in Melbourne.
Demetriou said the league would give serious consideration to the issue if asked by Channel 10.
"The tickets are selling exceptionally well," Demetriou said. "There's only about 8000 seats left, and AFL members go on sale tomorrow; we would expect those to be sold.
"If the game was to be a sellout and the Ten Network asked us to go live, we would give it serious consideration."
The match is already scheduled to go live into Sydney and Brisbane.
Demetriou also admitted the AFL was disappointed Friday night's match between Collingwood and Essendon hadn't been shown live by Channel 9.
02 September 2003 Herald Sun
By MICHAEL STEVENs
AFL chief executive elect Andrew Demetriou said last night Carlton and Richmond had not earned the right to host blockbusters next year.
He said fans could expect major changes in the 2004 fixture, which was already well advanced.
"I don't think they've earned the right to be part of the blockbuster (loop). I don't think Carlton or Richmond own blockbusters," Demetriou said on Talking Footy last night.
"The fact of the matter is, this year, some of our best crowds have come from outside Victoria."
New features are likely to include more "event" games and blockbusters featuring non-Victorian teams and Melbourne clubs outside the "Big Four", including St Kilda and the Kangaroos.
"They (St Kilda) have probably earned the right to command some blockbusters," Demetriou said.
"I think St Kilda-Richmond as an Easter Monday game is an event that warrants consideration for next year."
The Blues and Tigers have traditionally been scheduled for blockbuster games against Victorian powerhouses Collingwood and Essendon.
But the clubs' drawing power has reflected their poor performances over the past two years; the Carlton-Richmond game in Round 12 drew just 36,557 at the MCG.
Demetriou flagged the disappearance next season of the controversial "holding the ball" penalty for ruckmen grabbing the ball out of the ruck and being tackled.
"We discussed this at the last Laws of the Game Committee meeting and general consensus was that we're a bit harsh on ruckmen there," he said.
"It is a skill, ruckmen do grab and we've agreed to review it at the end of the season. I do expect a change there (back to what it was before this year)."
Saturday night's blockbuster qualifying final between Collingwood and Brisbane at the MCG could be shown live in Melbourne.
Demetriou said the league would give serious consideration to the issue if asked by Channel 10.
"The tickets are selling exceptionally well," Demetriou said. "There's only about 8000 seats left, and AFL members go on sale tomorrow; we would expect those to be sold.
"If the game was to be a sellout and the Ten Network asked us to go live, we would give it serious consideration."
The match is already scheduled to go live into Sydney and Brisbane.
Demetriou also admitted the AFL was disappointed Friday night's match between Collingwood and Essendon hadn't been shown live by Channel 9.
