Resurgent Richmond aims for a greater presence at the MCG, not EtihadJon Pierik and Caroline Wilson
The Age
May 29, 2012ALREADY experiencing a resurgence on the field, Richmond wants to shut the door at Etihad Stadium and play all 10 home matches at the MCG.
Richmond's contract with the Melbourne Cricket Club expires after this season, and the Tigers, like Collingwood, have begun internal discussions about what a new deal should look like.
The Tigers have nine home games at the MCG this season and one each at Etihad Stadium - attracting more than 28,000 against West Coast in round five - and Cazaly Stadium in Cairns.
If the MCC agrees to 10 matches, it could help the Tigers' push for the AFL, which controls fixturing, to add an extra match.
Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale yesterday said the club's preference would be to drop its lone match at Docklands.
''We understand the AFL has a lot to deal with in fixturing 18 teams,'' he said. ''We understand that everyone must share the load to get those extra games at Etihad, but the AFL is very aware that our fans much prefer the MCG.''
Etihad Stadium boss Ian Collins said last night the decision was in the hands of the AFL and a 10th match at the MCG would need to ensure contractual obligations already in place at both venues were not impaired.
''The AFL controls the draw and it's sacrosanct to them, as it should be, as are the TV rights,'' he said.
''Richmond can do whatever they like but, in the end, unless they go and get the imprimatur of the AFL beforehand, it doesn't carry much weight. They can go and talk to the MCC but, in the end, it's the AFL that controls the draw.''
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said there was no guarantee the Tigers would be given an extra game at the MCG. ''The AFL has a contractual agreement with Etihad that requires a minimum number of games at the venue … they are spread across the competition,'' he said.
The Tigers had more than 51,000 fans at their home game against Hawthorn on Saturday despite the inclement weather that forced the closure of the Yarra Park car park. If the Tigers can attract close to 40,000 to their round 11 clash against Fremantle at the MCG, they believe this will bolster their push for an extra game at the venue.
They averaged almost 52,000 at home MCG games last season, and are averaging more than 55,000 in four games this year.
That they are now a tenant of the MCC, with their Punt Road training base falling under the new distribution of land surrounding the MCG, has strengthened their resolve.
The Tigers have made it clear to the AFL the size of their supporter base means it's no longer practical to play an away game at Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
The Magpies are awaiting full details of the $55 million revamp of the Great Southern Stand before they continue talks. The Magpies' current deal involves playing 16 matches at the venue.
It's understood the Magpies have the best deal of the MCG's tenant teams, for their contract isn't solely based on match returns.
It has also emerged MCG tenant clubs find it galling Hawthorn does not have one home game at Etihad Stadium, yet the Hawks can still enjoy one of the more lucrative venue deals through its contract with the Tasmanian government to play ''home'' matches in Launceston.
Melbourne may be forced into talks with the MCC if its financial projections are not met. The Demons are the only club that receives special assistance from the MCC.
The MCC will provide $1 million a year over the next three years which comes on top of the recently renegotiated AFL special assistance deal.
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