One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on March 24, 2010, 04:34:46 AM
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From the Herald-Sun's story on tv rights.....
Demetriou yesterday revealed that:
RICHMOND and Carlton do not have a mortgage on the season-opening clash.
BEN Cousins' great challenge would be establishing a career after football but he was a great example of rehabilitation.
On the Richmond-Carlton game, Demetriou said he was confident of a crowd between 60,000-70,000 at the MCG tomorrow night but had not locked in the fixture for ever.
"They will get a good crowd and I am looking forward to it. It will be a competitive match. But it's not written down as gospel as Richmond for ever, to the best of my knowledge, and I would know," he said.
Demetriou yesterday backed Cousins and said he did not believe the controversial Richmond onballer had a drinking problem.
"I remain unconvinced about the assertions made by (The Age) to be honest," he said.
"(Richmond chief executive) Brendon Gale, who I know personally, does not lie.
"I think he was genuine when he said the hysteria around Ben Cousins had reached proportions which are uncomfortable.
"Let's hope he's back to playing football and playing well. He does play football and had a great season last year."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/pay-tv-locked-out-of-friday-night-afl-games/story-e6frf9jf-1225844495043
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Well said Andy D. :thumbsup
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why not, makes no more or less sense than Collingwood playing ESS and BLUES twice a year for eternity. I thought the operative word here was blockbuster status, the essence being drawing power
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Oh good, I hope that means Collingwank and Essendon don't have a permanent grasp on Anzac day either then ...
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why not, makes no more or less sense than Collingwood playing ESS and BLUES twice a year for eternity. I thought the operative word here was blockbuster status, the essence being drawing power
My take is that he's saying dont take it for granted. If the crowds stop showing up you'll loose it.
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But it's not written down as gospel as Richmond for ever, to the best of my knowledge, and I would know," he said.
Why single out Richmond? Shouldn't that be both clubs don't have the automatic right to hold the event?
And I agree with the views about Anzac Day. Unfortunately though, it's always a sell-out game and would be hard to justify taking it away from them.
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Why single out Richmond? Shouldn't that be both clubs don't have the automatic right to hold the event?
Perhaps he was asked specifically about us given it's our home game.
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But it's not written down as gospel as Richmond for ever, to the best of my knowledge, and I would know," he said.
Why single out Richmond? Shouldn't that be both clubs don't have the automatic right to hold the event?
And I agree with the views about Anzac Day. Unfortunately though, it's always a sell-out game and would be hard to justify taking it away from them.
Reckon its a typo and should have read '... gospel as Richmond-Carlton for ever'
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But it's not written down as gospel as Richmond for ever, to the best of my knowledge, and I would know," he said.
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Reckon its a typo and should have read '... gospel as Richmond-Carlton for ever'
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I reckon it should have read
But it's not written down as gospel as Richmond for ever, to the best of my knowledge, and I would know," conceited prik Demetriou said.
Gee Andrew, given the salary you're on, one would hope you knew something :banghead
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We suck at the moment which goes against us but I'd like to see how many other clubs would get 72,000 to a game on a school/work night.
If we can hang on to the season-opener for two more years we'll be okay as far as hanging onto it. Hopefully that last quarter fade-out doesn't sway the AFL commission to take the game off us.
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We suck at the moment which goes against us but I'd like to see how many other clubs would get 72,000 to a game on a school/work night.
If we can hang on to the season-opener for two more years we'll be okay as far as hanging onto it. Hopefully that last quarter fade-out doesn't sway the AFL commission to take the game off us.
Sadly after last night, unless we start winning some games of footy or losing by less than a few kicks we wont hold onto this game.
And to be honest after last night I'd prefer that we didn't
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Next year should play an interstate team away
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Well Demetriou said this morning that the 72,000 crowd size last night was "amazing". So he was a happy boy.
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Maybe our club as an organisation doesnt deserve the 1st game of the season- but our supporters deserve game 1 of the season and thats why we should keep it. We dont have alot of reasons to go to the footy- to watch what- getting flogged? At least the AFL should respect Richmond supporters capacity to stick with the club during 30 poohouse years. The supporters deserve at least that much!
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Maybe our club as an organisation doesnt deserve the 1st game of the season- but our supporters deserve game 1 of the season and thats why we should keep it. We dont have alot of reasons to go to the footy- to watch what- getting flogged? At least the AFL should respect Richmond supporters capacity to stick with the club during 30 poohouse years. The supporters deserve at least that much!
I agree ramps. There are very few games throughout the year, including finals, that pull a crowd anywhere near that size. Just shows what a fantastically lyal group of passionate supporters we are! :cheers Just need the team to step the f up now!
Stripes
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Hopefully Andy D's good mood today lasts until the 2011 fixture is done in October. Our large supporter base hopefully has saved the Club's bacon in retaining this game next year. It should be a Carlton home game next year anyway I'm presuming so our next home season opener won't be until 2012 when hopefully we are a much better side by then with everyone having a further 30-40 games under their belt, another two drafts worth of kids (another 10 or more newbies?), and the list being familiar by then with Hardwick's gameplan.
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Game 1 of the season is tradionally the apex of the nocturnal emmission for most Richmond fans. Despite what reality tells us we flock to the G just on the off chance that we might produce something special more in fear hence we miss it and beating Carlton is oh so sweet. I'm sure round 1 2008 is still ingrained on our minds.
Now that many of us have unloaded and have woken up wet warm and sticky lets restrain ourselves for the rest of this season wait and see what picking we have from the draft at least and build up to 2011 and the expectant 70-75000 crowd for March 24 next year.
The AFL would not take Anzac Day away from Collingwood and Essendon regardless of how bad either of those clubs are travelling over the course of a few years.
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57k on a Friday night between superpower Geelong and a side that made the top 8 last year in Essendon.
I hope Benny Gale mentions to Demetriou that we even in a 'transformation' year got 15k more on a work/school night :thumbsup.
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David King and Dwayne Russell also claimed tonight if we get thrashed again on Thursday night then we will no longer deserve the season opener. It's a massive game for the Richmond to step up and show something.
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Game 1 of the season is tradionally the apex of the nocturnal emmission for most Richmond fans. Despite what reality tells us we flock to the G just on the off chance that we might produce something special more in fear hence we miss it and beating Carlton is oh so sweet. I'm sure round 1 2008 is still ingrained on our minds.
Now that many of us have unloaded and have woken up wet warm and sticky lets restrain ourselves for the rest of this season wait and see what picking we have from the draft at least and build up to 2011 and the expectant 70-75000 crowd for March 24 next year.
The AFL would not take Anzac Day away from Collingwood and Essendon regardless of how bad either of those clubs are travelling over the course of a few years.
Spot on :thumbsup
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The only Anzac game I've been to had a crowd of around 55k.
Now we had a crowd of 72k last year knowing fully well Richmond would finish near the bottom.
Also Richmond Collingwood games were an Anzac tradition in the 70s way before the Veruca Salts pinched it.
If anyone whinges about Round 1,perhaps they should look in their own backyard.
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Another article in the media bagging us opening the season ..... :sleep
Truly a lame start to AFL season
* by Greg Davis
* From: The Courier-Mail
* March 21, 2011
THE AFL rarely get it wrong when it comes to maximising a spectacle, due to its bulging war chest and its sense of occasion.
It is the master of the big event. Just cast your mind back to the AFL grand final replay when US entertainer Lionel Richie had them dancing on the ceiling and made what the NRL served up at the next day's decider look second-rate.
But now look at how the AFL has stuffed up round 1 of the 2011 season. Carlton and Richmond will kick off the season at the MCG in Thursday's opening game. The long-standing rivalry between the Tigers and Blues deserves respect, but this game features an over-hyped, under-performing blue-chip club against a perennial battler that has been a stranger to September for some time.
It would have been a cracking season opener in 1974.
But as our man Lionel would say, "Hello" - it is not 1974.
Geelong play St Kilda the following night at the MCG. Why not that as the pipe-opener? Why not reigning premiers Collingwood or even the brand new Gold Coast team? The Suns don't even play in round 1, which is an indictment on the draw.
The AFL could have had the Magpies unfurling their premiership flag at the "G" on the same night they play Gazza and the Suns. Gold Coast could have taken on Brisbane in round 1 to celebrate the game's latest local derby.
The AFL gets hundreds of requests from the clubs about the draw and it is a difficult task to please everyone. But this should have been easy. Easy like Sunday morning, even. Apologies, Lionel.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/truly-a-lame-start-to-afl-season/story-e6frepex-1226025031132
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I know people wont agree with me but I actually agree that based on the last 2 years we don't deserve to opening game of the season. We've been deplorable
And I reckon that if we dish up an other performance like last year or heaven forbid 2009 then we deserve to have the opening game taken away from us.
As much for our own benefit than another reason
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I disagree with you WP. The opening game of the season has only been turned into an 'occasion' since we started to play Carlton. Before that it was anyone vs anyone but there was no build up apart from the normal "footy's back". We helped turn this into a game second only to Anzac Day (certainly on a par with Dreamtime at the G) as far as home and away fixtures go and we deserve to keep it regardless of the results. Unless you put Collingwood or Essendon in that game against a Carlton or maybe a St Kilda or Geelong, you will not get anywhere near the crowd and hence the build up and sense of occasion. And to put Collingwood or Essendon in would just serve to widen the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. In the past 10 years of Anzac Day games the average winning margin has been 33 points with only 2 games being decided by less than 2 goals. For 3 years running the closest margin was 33 points. Yet no-one in the general public is suggesting for even a fleeting moment that this game should be removed from Collingwood or Essendon because of poor performance - other reasons maybe but not poor performance. Carlton have only won the past 2 in a row and no-one advocated taking it off them after we spanked them by 56 points. Since the AFL began the Thursday night opener the crowds have been 40k at Subiaco to watch West Coast vs St Kilda, 33k at the Gabba to watch Brisbane vs St Kilda, then 72k, 87k and 72k to watch us vs Carlton. We are a big and integral part of making that game what it is turning in to (a blockbuster if you want the AFL's favourite term) and past results should not dictate who plays in the game we have helped make an important part of the AFL season. But sadly, I do agree that the AFL is likely to be swayed by the media whores and that just won't be fair.
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I'm a bit on the fence, I definitely think the fixture draws a big enough crowd to justify its position as season opener, however if we get smashed again I think we're a good chance to lose the spot and I really wouldn't blame them
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No problems with you disagreeing Smokey - it makes the world go round :thumbsup
I disagree with you WP. The opening game of the season has only been turned into an 'occasion' since we started to play Carlton.
For a few years we played Collingwood in round 1 with a view to making that an occasion but because of our own stupidity the Pies said we don't want this anymore. So we moved on to Carlton and have played them the last 3 years
Before that it was anyone vs anyone but there was no build up apart from the normal "footy's back". We helped turn this into a game second only to Anzac Day (certainly on a par with Dreamtime at the G) as far as home and away fixtures go and we deserve to keep it regardless of the results.
Sorry smokey but I don't believe it is 2nd only to ANZAC day with regard to signifigance to the H&A fixture. I would thinkt he replay of the GF would have far greater impact during the course of the season.
Actually I reckon it should be the game that launches the season but that's my view
Unless you put Collingwood or Essendon in that game against a Carlton or maybe a St Kilda or Geelong, you will not get anywhere near the crowd and hence the build up and sense of occasion.
Disagree see above
And to put Collingwood or Essendon in would just serve to widen the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. In the past 10 years of Anzac Day games the average winning margin has been 33 points with only 2 games being decided by less than 2 goals. For 3 years running the closest margin was 33 points. Yet no-one in the general public is suggesting for even a fleeting moment that this game should be removed from Collingwood or Essendon because of poor performance - other reasons maybe but not poor performance.
Understand your point smokey but I view the ANZAC day game very differently. It is something that the 2 clubs have built over a number of years & IMHO it goes much deeper than a game of footy
Carlton have only won the past 2 in a row and no-one advocated taking it off them after we spanked them by 56 points.
True but that was the first one and lets be honest no-one expected us to win so the margin became irrelevant. However the last 2 years the margin has reflected what everyone outside of the Tiger fans was expecting and there in lies the problem IMHO. The results have been embarassing as the showcase to launch the season and I say that as a footy fan not a Tiger fan
We are a big and integral part of making that game what it is turning in to (a blockbuster if you want the AFL's favourite term) and past results should not dictate who plays in the game we have helped make an important part of the AFL season. But sadly, I do agree that the AFL is likely to be swayed by the media whores and that just won't be fair.
It's not the media smokey it's also the powers at AFL headquarters
IMHO the only reason we've hung on to it this year is because of Benny Gale and the fact that Andy D has great respect for Benny, If we didn't have Benny G then I reckon we would have lost it by now
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Sorry smokey but I don't believe it is 2nd only to ANZAC day with regard to signifigance to the H&A fixture. I would thinkt he replay of the GF would have far greater impact during the course of the season.
Actually I reckon it should be the game that launches the season but that's my view
From a marketing point of view, this would be a waste. The grand final final replay is always an occasion so to do so as the opener, which itself is an occasion would detract from that.
I think as long as the crowd keeps turning up and probably more important it gets the TV ratings the league will be happy with that. Being first game of the season and so many people hanging out for a footy fix i'd imagine that would not be an issue
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I disagree with you WP. The opening game of the season has only been turned into an 'occasion' since we started to play Carlton.
For a few years we played Collingwood in round 1 with a view to making that an occasion but because of our own stupidity the Pies said we don't want this anymore. So we moved on to Carlton and have played them the last 3 years
We were getting screwed in that deal so I don't see it as a bad thing that we ended the agreement
Don't let the fact Eddie got in a bit of a tanty about it on the Footy Show blind you to the fact that we were losing something like $250k a year from it
Any gate sharing agreement with a club that has more members, more supporters and bigger crowds means the other club loses out.... always!
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If the deal was still in place today we'd be up the creek without a paddle. The losses would be huge as Collingwood has bounded away in terms of membership numbers.
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Who the stuff is Greg Davis? Courier Mail :lol LMFAO
I agree with Smokey
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No problems with you disagreeing Smokey - it makes the world go round :thumbsup
What else are forums for? ;D :thumbsup
For a few years we played Collingwood in round 1 with a view to making that an occasion but because of our own stupidity the Pies said we don't want this anymore. So we moved on to Carlton and have played them the last 3 years
We played them for 3 years (02-04) and the largest crowd was 65k. Agree that it was our own stupidity in not pushing to keep it but the crowd figures for the Carlton games highlight my point that we are partly/largely responsible for making the game the occasion that it is.
Sorry smokey but I don't believe it is 2nd only to ANZAC day with regard to signifigance to the H&A fixture. I would thinkt he replay of the GF would have far greater impact during the course of the season.
Actually I reckon it should be the game that launches the season but that's my view
Disagree again WP. ;D The GF replay has been played in R1 for 3 of the past 4 seasons (not last year). In '07 62k watched West Coast v Sydney (in Sydney), '08 28k watched Geelong v Port (in Adelaide), '09 69k watched Hawthorn v Geelong (MCG) and '10 58k watched Geelong v St Kilda (MCG). Those figures tell you there was no 'occasion' built around those games - interesting for sure but no build up or real crowd support (although the Sydney game figure was very good). Richmond and Carlton have made this game what it already is, even in years of below average team performance and the crowds have responded to that. We both deserve it regardless of the result because both clubs and their supporters have made the effort. And we certainly shouldn't be condemned on just 2 years of poor results.
Understand your point smokey but I view the ANZAC day game very differently. It is something that the 2 clubs have built over a number of years & IMHO it goes much deeper than a game of footy
And that's my point about our game. Richmond and Carlton are building something that is being supported and for their efforts and the crowd support they deserve the right to let that build. The AFL went out of their way to give Essendon and Collingwood every assistance to make an occasion out of the Anzac Day game (and for all the right reasons) and they should respect the efforts of our clubs in trying to do the same thing as the season opener, even if that just means riding out the storm of a couple of years of average results in order to let the occasion build.
Carlton have only won the past 2 in a row and no-one advocated taking it off them after we spanked them by 56 points.
Need to correct my own mistake here - the 'spanking' was only 30 points but it still felt good! ;D
True but that was the first one and lets be honest no-one expected us to win so the margin became irrelevant. However the last 2 years the margin has reflected what everyone outside of the Tiger fans was expecting and there in lies the problem IMHO. The results have been embarassing as the showcase to launch the season and I say that as a footy fan not a Tiger fan
Whether we were expected to win or not is irrelevant - it's what we are trying to create in conjunction with Carlton that is important. Results will take care of themselves over time but the AFL must pay some respect to the way this game has been supported by the fans. I could chuck in here that two of the most disappointing 'big games' for me in recent times were the '07 and '08 Grand Finals - one for the pathetic performance by Port and one for the terrible spectacle it produced (Hawthorn's strangle of Geelong). These were not a showcase of anything I would be proud of as an AFL fan.
It's not the media smokey it's also the powers at AFL headquarters
It is the media that plant and/or foster the ideas in public though. And lets be honest - Richmond bagging is an old fave when a journo is too lazy or interested in chasing up a real footy story.
IMHO the only reason we've hung on to it this year is because of Benny Gale and the fact that Andy D has great respect for Benny, If we didn't have Benny G then I reckon we would have lost it by now
And on that we are in full agreement. It's wrong mind you but it's true. :'(
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Collingwood can't have everything - or can they ::)
I have no problem with it - doesn't matter how we've performed or where we are on the ladder, a Carlton Richmond game has "atmosphere".
It's not as if Carlton have been great performers of late either!
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We were getting screwed in that deal so I don't see it as a bad thing that we ended the agreement
Don't let the fact Eddie got in a bit of a tanty about it on the Footy Show blind you to the fact that we were losing something like $250k a year from it
The one good thing Ian Campbell did during his short reign as CEO. He realized straight away the deal heavily favoured Collingwood and knocked it on the head. Only bad thing was that we only played Collingwood once the year immediately after and it was their home game so we got nothing.
The figure I recall was around $100,000 less than Collingwood each time we played them. Not what you'd think when you hear "gate sharing".
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Whether we deserve it or not doesn't really matter, as for reasons unbeknownst to all but us Tigerheads we are still one of the Big 4 clubs in Vic.
Skunks and Essendon have their game so how else are you gunna open the season.
For arguments sake throw up some options, maybe a Grand Final replay could be worthy?
What else? Lets pick 2 sorta well performed rivals over the last few years StKilda v Geelong, will that get the crowd and atmosphere of a Rich v Carl :nope
Buldogs V Melbourne ? Boring 2 and a dingbat, well 2 dingbats!
Yeah we need to step it up for sure, but we are getting the numbers 'Just' and the atmosphere you just cant buy! Suffer Hawthorn wheteher you like it or not!
When we improve in the next year this is gunna be a massive game, let's hope we can start to step it up a bit this Thursday :gotigers
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We were getting screwed in that deal so I don't see it as a bad thing that we ended the agreement
Don't let the fact Eddie got in a bit of a tanty about it on the Footy Show blind you to the fact that we were losing something like $250k a year from it
The one good thing Ian Campbell did during his short reign as CEO. He realized straight away the deal heavily favoured Collingwood and knocked it on the head. Only bad thing was that we only played Collingwood once the year immediately after and it was their home game so we got nothing.
The figure I recall was around $100,000 less than Collingwood each time we played them. Not what you'd think when you hear "gate sharing".
The gate did get split 50-50 but the problem lies with the amount of away supporters going to each match.
For example, when it is Collingwoods home game, if they have 40000 rabid ferals turn up most of these will be Collingwood members and will pay no extra to get in. 30000 legend Richmond supporters turn up and even if they have a 16-17 game membership, Collingwood still get the full gate receipt for their attendance. When you reverse the positions and it's Richmond's home game, we should be getting 40,000 gate receipts for putting up with hosting the ferals. So when we split the gate (35000 each) we are missing out on 5000 gate receipts (in that scenario anyway).
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Tigers must earn their stripes for opener
* Jon Ralph
* From: Herald Sun
* March 22, 2011
RICHMOND concedes it must begin to give bang for its buck if it is to keep its cherished position playing Carlton in the season opener.
The Tigers start the season on Thursday having lost their past two Round 1 contests against the Blues by a total of 137 points.
They continue to hang on to the lucrative prime time slot despite only one Round 1 win since 2004. And the AFL says they are not guaranteed the contest.
Tigers president Gary March said yesterday the incredible crowds justified the contest. The last three clashes averaged 77,000 fans in the past three years.
But captain Chris Newman is aware the Tigers cannot continue to fail on the big stage and retain a clash that draws members and appeases sponsors.
"I think it's very important for the club," he said.
"This is our home game and it's important in terms of getting members and creating some dollars for the club, but no doubt we have to put on a show.
"Everyone wants to turn their TV on and see a really good game and a really good clash in Round 1, so that's what we plan on doing on Thursday night."
AFL boss Andrew Demetriou last year said Richmond did not have a mortgage on the opening match of the year.
"It's not written down as gospel, as Richmond forever," he said before the Tigers' 56-point loss.
March said yesterday the Tigers were aware of their need to perform under football's bright lights.
"I think there is pressure on us to get out of the blocks a bit better than we have in the past few years, because with a young side confidence gets dented, but it's a process," March said.
"Carlton has been in the finals in the past few years and we would like to keep improving, but when people throw up the chestnut about should we have Round 1's (opener), the average attendance is great. It's pretty hard to argue against it."
March is confident of a strong crowd, ahead of prime-time contests against St Kilda next Friday night, Hawthorn the following Saturday night, then Collingwood on a Friday in Round 4.
"Even though there is no Judd or Cousins factor, I would still be surprised if it's not about 70,000 again," he said. "Carlton has a lot riding on this season and we have expectations to improve, so we want to get away to a good start."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-must-earn-their-stripes-for-opener/story-e6frf9jf-1226025754104
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If we thrash the Cheats in the next 2 or 3 years straight will the media be questioning them on the validity of their inclusion to the season opener or is that critisism only for Richmond?
Who's the bigger club? :gotigers
Eat 'em Alive!!!
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There has been talk this week that Richmond does not deserve the season opening fixture given its recent Round 1 capitulations against Ratten's men.
But the Carlton coach slammed that sort of talk and said he hoped the clash would continue in years to come.
''I think that (talk) is really unfair,'' Ratten said.
''The history between Carlton and Richmond goes back for years in Grand Finals.
''I think it's great to have two traditional Melbourne teams to kick the season off.
''It's going to be a great encounter.''
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/carlton-to-play-three-debutants-against-richmond-in-season-opener/story-e6frf9jf-1226026633582
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There has been talk this week that Richmond does not deserve the season opening fixture given its recent Round 1 capitulations against Ratten's men.
But the Carlton coach slammed that sort of talk and said he hoped the clash would continue in years to come.
''I think that (talk) is really unfair,'' Ratten said.
''The history between Carlton and Richmond goes back for years in Grand Finals.
''I think it's great to have two traditional Melbourne teams to kick the season off.
''It's going to be a great encounter.''
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/carlton-to-play-three-debutants-against-richmond-in-season-opener/story-e6frf9jf-1226026633582
Plus they love smashing us every year infront of a big crowd! :banghead
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If we win tomorrow it'll be 2-all.
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If we win tomorrow it'll be 2-all.
We played Carlfilth in round 1 2007. It doesn't count b/c it was on the Sunday night?
Either way this is the 5th consecutive season we have played them in our first game.
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Mike's now joined in.....
Almost as much as Andrew Demetriou is hoping Richmond doesn't flop again as it has in the opening game of the past two years.
It's critically important for the Tigers on a couple of fronts: their claim to a prime date on the footy calendar and their $6 million fundraising campaign.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/footy-is-back-at-last/story-fn7shz1t-1226027013140
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We played Carlfilth in round 1 2007. It doesn't count b/c it was on the Sunday night?
It wasn't the season opener........which is what the thread and media sniping is about........so, no.
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We've been flogged the last two season openers, but come the Thursday of the game every year, the hype is fever pitch.
As long as we're drawing 75k+ we'll keep the game.
Imagine if it was Bulldogs vs. Kangaroos :chuck
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Looks like we are keeping the season opener :thumbsup ...
McLachlan said while the Richmond-Carlton season opener was not set in stone, a "compelling argument" would be needed for rival clubs to steal the slot.
Richmond's third-term surge at Carlton and a strong crowd means the clubs seem certain to kick off next year.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tens-cut-of-tv-rights-pie-a-work-in-progress/story-e6frf9jf-1226049434062
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Bombers raid on round one
Caroline Wilson
July 21, 2011
RICHMOND'S hold on the AFL season opener is looking tenuous with Essendon confirming it will push to play Carlton next year in round one at the MCG.
Essendon chief executive Ian Robson last night revealed he had discussed the prospect of grabbing another blockbuster for the Bombers with Carlton CEO Greg Swann. It is understood the AFL has not guaranteed the struggling Tigers the coveted round one spot, concerned at their ability to showcase the first game of the new 18-team competition.
''If there is any opportunity for us to play a part in the repositioning of round one, we will be looking at it,'' Robson told The Age. ''If the opportunity came about, we'd grab it with open arms, as any club would.''
A furious Richmond hit back last night, with club president Brendon Gale taking aim at the Bombers' own blockbuster.
"If Essendon wants to play the season opener, we assume it would involve a swap of blockbuster fixtures and we would be more than happy to explore the idea of playing on Anzac Day," Gale said.
"The last time we played on Anzac Day was against Collingwood in 1977 and that match attracted a crowd in excess of 92,400 people, so it is a game that we are sure our supporters would embrace."
The loss of the round one game would be a massive blow for Richmond, which is working desperately to raise revenue in a bid to lift its total player payments from 92.5 per cent of its possible salary cap. The Tigers and the Blues, also traditional rivals, have contested the past four season openers, all in front of big crowds and although Richmond has been thrashed on two of those occasions, it led Carlton at three-quarter time in the 2011 encounter.
"We have worked hard with Carlton to develop the season opener as a blockbuster game - much the same as Essendon and Collingwood have done with Anzac Day,'' Gale said.
"Over the past five years we have averaged crowds in excess of 70,000 to the season opener, which we think is reflective of a game that the fans have embraced.''
The club has been forced to sell home games to both Cairns and Darwin - both with disappointing results - this year and remains determined to cement its position as an anchored tenant at the MCG.
The move by Essendon could create some animosity between the two clubs, which currently share the popular annual Dreamtime Game. This year, it attracted a record attendance of more than 83,000.
The AFL has instructed all clubs to put forward their 2012 fixture requests for what is looming as a 22-round home-and-away season to be played over 23 weeks and involving the 18th franchise, Greater Western Sydney. The push has come early due to the complexities of the new nine-game-a-week competition.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/bombers-raid-on-round-one-20110720-1hp2r.html#ixzz1SfcxEGWx
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We don't do ourselves any favours when we continually get flogged by Carlton. After round 1 this year we probably had the AFL on our side again as far as keeping the season opener as we were fought back and got in front at 3/4 time. However, that 103 point flogging three weeks ago just reminds everyone we've been pretty much uncompetitive against the Blues in every game since that round 1, 2009 debacle and you can't blame tv networks and neutral fans wanting another match-up :-\.
A furious Richmond hit back last night, with club president Brendon Gale taking aim at the Bombers' own blockbuster.
Benny is CEO Caro :wallywink
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This fixture has hardly been the ideal way for the team to gain confidence going into a new season.
So losing it would have one advantage. stuff the revenue.
Start winning games and they will come. (Apologies to kevin Costner)
:thumbsup
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It is understood the AFL has not guaranteed the struggling Tigers the coveted round one spot, concerned at their ability to showcase the first game of the new 18-team competition.
Interesting quote. Considering we've beaten Essendon once this year and really should have beaten them a second time, outplaying them for over half the game, you have to wonder if Essendon would put up a better show.
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This is briallian news, we dont want it.
Let's play GWS then GC then Brisbane
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what pmac said :thumbsup
THANK YOU ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB
TAKE IT
Just listening to carlton fans gloat and smile when they see they play us in Rd 1 actually makes me sick.
Good riddons Rd 1
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Agree get rid of it.
Next years fixture:
Round 1: Adel (MCG)
Round 2: GWS (MCG)
Round 3: Port (ANZ)
Round 4: Freo (MCG)
Round 5: North (ES)
Round 6: GC (Caz)
Would be a great start to the year. :gotigers
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stuff Essendon.
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We need to keep this fixture and we need to be able to beat Carlton. Has anyone at the club had a look how Carlton who got stripped of draft selections, were a complete rabble have now gone past us at a rate of knots? Does no one at our footy club care? Where was our administration when Carlton were going past us?
The answer is our administration was no where. Club after club who start redevelopments of their list, who start in a worse position end up going past us. Our administration and the football people who have been around for longer than 2 years should be ASHAMED! Absolutely ASHAMED!
Its time they all looked at their own performances. Theyve been diabolical. And sadly thats the truth of it.
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we dont deserve poo
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We don't do ourselves any favours when we continually get flogged by Carlton.
Essendon average losing margin in ANZAC clashes last 5 years 40 Points - Lets swap bombres.
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We need to keep this fixture and we need to be able to beat Carlton. Has anyone at the club had a look how Carlton who got stripped of draft selections, were a complete rabble have now gone past us at a rate of knots? Does no one at our footy club care? Where was our administration when Carlton were going past us?
The answer is our administration was no where. Club after club who start redevelopments of their list, who start in a worse position end up going past us. Our administration and the football people who have been around for longer than 2 years should be ASHAMED! Absolutely ASHAMED!
Its time they all looked at their own performances. Theyve been diabolical. And sadly thats the truth of it.
I don't think the game is important - the best thing about this club are the supporters, give 'em a sniff and they will turn up. Remember 20,000 more turned up to this years Dreamtime game which no doubt was influenced by us having won an extra 3 1/2 games and being mid table on the ladder.
I'm not totally convinced we have the best off field team with a few obvious exceptions the coach (with senior help) is one and Benny another.
I'm just as unsure if we can attract the best off field talent. Craig Cameron basically fell over the line in his last promotion due to a lack of candidates.
His list management record is still up for debate.
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Agree get rid of it.
Next years fixture:
Round 1: Adel (MCG)
Round 2: GWS (MCG)
Round 3: Port (ANZ)
Round 4: Freo (MCG)
Round 5: North (ES)
Round 6: GC (Caz)
So a season of 6-0-16 perhaps?? :-\
Would be a great start to the year. :gotigers
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Bump!
Yeah, they put up a really convincing argument for taking that round 1 game versus Carlton off us didn't they? :lol
:thumbsup
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Essendon CEO Ian Robson was just on 3aw and claimed he was just being honest to Caro in that article and saying what any of the other 16 clubs would say about loving to have that Thursday night season opener if it's not locked in. The AFL makes the decision and he's claiming because of the talk about having a grand final replay to open the season he just wants to know from the AFL if Richmond v Carlton is locked in. Walls said ANZAC Day and Dreamtime are locked in fixtures so Essendon are just being greedy.
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Essendon and Collingwood have a very positive working relationship that even their own supporters wont recognise. They work together to the detriment of every other club. It hurts me to say this but we need to probably create a similar relationship with Carlton. We can all hate one another and still do great business. Richmond and Carlton should be seeking ways to create more opportunities.
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:lol the things you have to do for money.
i'll look at hookers in a whole new light now.
your right though ramps.
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Essendon and Collingwood have a very positive working relationship that even their own supporters wont recognise. They work together to the detriment of every other club. It hurts me to say this but we need to probably create a similar relationship with Carlton. We can all hate one another and still do great business. Richmond and Carlton should be seeking ways to create more opportunities.
It can only help the working relationship if we are at least competitive onfield with Carlton which we haven't been for the past 3 years. If the hype generated for say the Cuz round 1 game occurred more on a regular basis because the game means something to neutral fans then that flows onto increases in corporate bookings, sponsorships, tv ratings, etc which equates to $$$ for both clubs and forces the AFL hand to lock it in permanently for us and Carlton. Due to our large supporter we have capacity to be a big powerhouse club again as we've always known but it's always been our pathetic onfield efforts that have let us down and cost us financially year after year for the past 30 years. Whatever happens next year we have to treat round 1 as our line in the sand game. Another flogging at the hands of the Blues and it'll be difficult for us to hang onto the season opener.
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Maybe theyll let us win as a sign of cooperation :lol
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Maybe theyll let us win as a sign of cooperation :lol
;D
Dear Mr Swann,
Please let us win round 1 as a sign of goodwill over our cooperation with the season opener. Your Blues can afford to drop a game as you will make the top 4 again in 2012 anyway.
Yours thankfully,
Mr B. Gale
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I think the Bombers can forget about the poaching anything after consecutive 74 point losses :yep.
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Maybe theyll let us win as a sign of cooperation :lol
;D
Dear Mr Swann,
Please let us win round 1 as a sign of goodwill over our cooperation with the season opener. Your Blues can afford to drop a game as you will make the top 4 again in 2012 anyway.
Yours thankfully,
Mr B. Gale
as long as there was a large brown paper bag attached they'd probably go for it too.
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Maybe theyll let us win as a sign of cooperation :lol
;D
Dear Mr Swann,
Please let us win round 1 as a sign of goodwill over our cooperation with the season opener. Your Blues can afford to drop a game as you will make the top 4 again in 2012 anyway.
Yours thankfully,
Mr B. Gale
as long as there was a large brown paper bag attached they'd probably go for it too.
:lol
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I think the Bombers can forget about the poaching anything after consecutive 74 point losses :yep.
When you have egg on your face it does not matter whether is scrambled fried boiled or poached.
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Maybe theyll let us win as a sign of cooperation :lol
;D
Dear Mr Swann,
Please let us win round 1 as a sign of goodwill over our cooperation with the season opener. Your Blues can afford to drop a game as you will make the top 4 again in 2012 anyway.
Yours thankfully,
Mr B. Gale
as long as there was a large brown paper bag attached they'd probably go for it too.
:lol
You guys are laughing - Carlton live for brown paper bags, wed be half a chance I reckon :lol
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:lol the things you have to do for money.
i'll look at hookers in a whole new light now.
your right though ramps.
:lol
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as long as there was a large brown paper bag attached they'd probably go for it too.
Only if it is has a full bottle of Brandavino
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Maybe theyll let us win as a sign of cooperation :lol
;D
Dear Mr Swann,
Please let us win round 1 as a sign of goodwill over our cooperation with the season opener. Your Blues can afford to drop a game as you will make the top 4 again in 2012 anyway.
Yours thankfully,
Mr B. Gale
Good letter MT. Like the fact that youll be saving on printing costs with the minimal use of words. Well done to you! ;D
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Caro said tonight she is pessimistic about us and Carlton holding onto the season opener.
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We've got bigger things to concentrate on than keeping the season opener. It's a good earner for us no doubt but being successful will be a better earner over the long term. Eye on the prize. :thumbsup
No problem with Cameron and Gale working on this issue as long as it doesn't distract the players or coaches. If it does then pee it off and good riddance.
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Caro said tonight she is pessimistic about us and Carlton holding onto the season opener.
Well based on our "efforts" the last time we played then (what was that margin again :banghead) it's not exactly surprising ;D