AFL, Richmond reportedly at ‘war’ over Marvel Stadium complaints, Shai Bolton fineDavid Zita from Fox Sports
Foxsports
May 27th, 2021 Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson believes there is a “war” going on between Richmond and the league, suggesting star Shai Bolton’s recent $20,000 fine could’ve been influenced by the dispute.
Bolton was slapped with the fine by the league for his involvement in a nightclub brawl with teammate Daniel Rioli, despite the Tigers initially declaring there was no case to answer for either player.
That, coupled with contentious comments from coach Damien Hardwick and club CEO Brendon Gale about not wanting to play a home game at Marvel Stadium, has led to a souring relationship between the reigning premiers and league headquarters.
“There is no doubt there is a war going on behind closed doors between Richmond and the AFL. Damien Hardwick front man, but he’s not the only man,” she told Channel Nine’s Footy Classified.
“I have no doubt that if the AFL is true to form, Richmond will not get one, but probably two games at Marvel Stadium next year.
“That was ridiculous what Damien Hardwick said (about Marvel Stadium), particularly after a big win. There’s a bit of hubris there from the coach.”
Bolton’s fine was “far too much” according to AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson, who questioned the severity of the sanction given the lack of detail around the altercation that led to him suffering a broken wrist.
Wilson said the heftiness of Bolton’s fine was likely to have been influenced by the deteriorating relationship between both parties.
“The AFL was saying that Richmond had nothing to answer for, that was the feeling coming from both Richmond and the AFL,” she said.
“Then suddenly, Bolton is fined $20,000 out of nowhere ... that is a massive fine and there is something that has gone on.
“Is there anger at what Damien Hardwick said? Certainly Gillon McLachlan was angry. I absolutely think there is spite there on both sides.”
Regarding the Tigers’ complaints about playing home games away from the MCG, former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire backed his side’s rivals, claiming the bigger clubs needed to stand up against the league or risk being trampled on.
“I’ve been in this situation when you’re the big club in town - the new deal at the MCG for the home clubs that get big crowds in is far more lucrative, so it’s not just a whinge there. It’s a significant amount of money when money is tight,” he said.
“What ends up happening is there’s so many clubs on the drip now from the AFL who don’t fight anything that it ends up being the same clubs that seem to be whingeing because they’re fighting the fight because they’ve got to make their own money.
“You know the big clubs are about to get less money coming their way again - There is a feel that the AFL is trying to turn everybody into a franchise and the independent clubs have got to fight.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/richmond-tigers/afl-news-2021-richmond-complaints-richmond-vs-afl-shai-bolton-fine-marvel-stadium-comments-damien-hardwick-gillon-mclachlan-caroline-wilson/news-story/7e21f85ca73eee7ce9e90722f938d48e
