AFL CEO Makes Pledges

[Beaussie]

Great read in the AFL Record today. For those of you who haven't seen it, following the lead of the players in the AFL's latest TV commercials, Andrew Demetriou makes some pledges on behalf of the AFL.

We will do the best commercial broadcasting deal, for the good of clubs, our supporters in all states, and for the good of our broadcast partners.

We will fix the MCG preliminary final impasse.

We will ensure that we are the sport of choice for all young men in Australia, for all time, as we have done this year with the example of Western Bulldogs youngster Tom Williams, the son of a rugby league legend.

We will exult in the fact that our game is the most exciting sport in the country, and that our players continue to shock us with their talents, a direct product of our capacity to draw the best and pay them the best wages in sport.

We will not be intimidated by the presence of any other sport or entertainment activity; we will continue to drive attendances to great stadia and to keep the cost of attending the game at affordable levels for all supporters in all markets.

We will ensure that no club is disadvantaged by financial stresses, and that the 16-club competition will be with us forever.

We will continue to grow the game in NSW and Queensland by judicious investment, without ever losing sight of our football heartland.

We will continue to make the AFL the first choice for sponsors at AFL level, club level and at the grassroots, by ensuring the benefits far outweigh the cost.

We will continue to push our Indigenous program to all parts of the country, to make a real difference to the opportunities available to Aboriginal Australia.

Inspiring words from our leader. Watch out anyone who gets in the AFL's way.

We will always win. :<>

[King-Eliagh]

What a bunch of kerfuffle that was...the whole thing is just a bunch of egotistical shmack!!!

These points were particularly interesting:

We will not be intimidated by the presence of any other sport or entertainment activity

Has this guy just downed 20 schooies?

No other sporting code in Australia would bother to go as far as this tripe! Intimidated indeed...infact the thought of not letting other code intimidate them to me implies they already are intimidated. I'll say it again no other sporting code in Australia would bother.

We will ensure that no club is disadvantaged by financial stresses, and that the 16-club competition will be with us forever.

And this one is just laughable . He'll have to eat these words in the very near future when one of the melbourne clubs has to merge or move interstate and he has thousands of loyal supporters sending letter bombs to AFL HQ ] :blackeye: (*,)

I actually thought this Demetriou had some sense, I guess not

And why not have a look at some more eh:

We will exult in the fact that our game is the most exciting sport in the country :_<>

Is this guy serious??? Again laughable, this is very very naive and oneyed indeed, there are millions in Australia that disagree, and that is a much more likely fact than the one he states I must say.....MILLIONS!!!

We will ensure that we are the sport of choice for all young men in Australia

I've never played the game, and hey....FACT is millions of other young men havent either

This shmack just isnt going to happen beaussie!

[Beaussie]

These points were particularly interesting:

We will not be intimidated by the presence of any other sport or entertainment activity

Has this guy just downed 20 schooies?

No other sporting code in Australia would bother to go as far as this tripe! Intimidated indeed...infact the thought of not letting other code intimidate them to me implies they already are intimidated. I'll say it again no other sporting code in Australia would bother.

Obviously no other sporting code compares with the AFL when it comes to market share and dominance. Just look at what the TV rights are worth and compare that with for instance rugby league or union.

I must say I find it refreshing to read and assume that the AFL will be playing hard ball now with other codes. Telstra Dome will soon be owned by the AFL, good luck rugby league and union in getting a game there once the AFL takes control. :<>

We will ensure that no club is disadvantaged by financial stresses, and that the 16-club competition will be with us forever.

And this one is just laughable . He'll have to eat these words in the very near future when one of the melbourne clubs has to merge or move interstate and he has thousands of loyal supporters sending letter bombs to AFL HQ

Melbourne clubs merging or relocating doesn't mean a 16-club competition cannot be maintained. Think about it.

We will ensure that we are the sport of choice for all young men in Australia

I've never played the game

That is a lie. You've played the game since moving to NT. You even teach it now. Stop lying will ya.

[King-Eliagh]

Obviously no other sporting code compares with the AFL when it comes to market share and dominance. Just look at what the TV rights are worth and compare that with for instance rugby league or union.

I must say I find it refreshing to read and assume that the AFL will be playing hard ball now with other codes. Telstra Dome will soon be owned by the AFL, good luck rugby league and union in getting a game there once the AFL takes control. :<>

My point is this guy seems to be reliving his years at 'nam. Problem is there is no real footy code war going on beaussie its all a figment of yours, others who read the telegraph, and Demetriou's imaginations. The thing that both of you turkeys dont understand is that Australians love lots of sports, it comes down to personal choice and perception as to which is the best. I'll remind you of my point here. No other sporting code has bothered to make a statement about being intimidated by other codes simply because its just a plain rubbish statement to make.

Melbourne clubs merging or relocating doesn't mean a 16-club competition cannot be maintained. Think about it.

You are obviously not very good at analysing and understanding although I do understand your extreme bias can block your vision from time to time/always. . The focus of my rebuttle in this instance was on no clubs being disadvantaged by financial stress. Read again Junior

That is a lie. You've played the game since moving to NT. You even teach it now. Stop lying will ya.

I've never played the game as part of a club which is I think what dumbchook demetriou is referring to when he claims AFL will be the sport of choice for 'all' young Aussie men

Also no I dont teach it and wont be all this year. Its an option for friday sport and wont be part of my P.E program for terms 2, 3, annnnnd 4! (term 1 was swimming and bball) I'll be teaching league though Just doin my bit ya know And guess what I'm not joking

Now lets summarise. Beaussie you have struggled to understand much of this thread so far. I hope this post can help you? You have also sidestepped the real issues (as per usual), which i have highlighted in this post for your convenience :D

I hope i have been of some assistance. And remember 'nam finished years ago mate.

By the way i thought the televised NRL match today was just fantastic a real thriller which surprised me as i thought the dogs would kill the tigers. Ohwell I guess league just keeps getting better and living on.

[Dizzys_on_fire]

Although I am, or was, keen to learn more about AFL (as I am fairly new to the sport itself I must admit), this sort of attitude doesn't sit well with me. It appears that the only sporting organisation that feels the need to publicaly draw battle lines and make comparisons with other major sports is the AFL. To me that's a put-off, and it's bordering on being childish, insecure and paranoid. Why would a sporting organisation who calls itself "number one" need to speak such tripe? Your average punter is mainly only interested in the actual playing of the sport itself, not any childish politics that is attached off the field.

People, well certainly myself, don't like others telling them what they must watch, what they must like, and what their children must play.

The AFL are treating their imaginary "star wars" with other sports like it's the war before armogeddon. As an average sports nut, I find it nothing other than laughable.

[crocodileman]

Geez, what do we have here - a sport being able to clearly verbalise where they're headed - a novel thing for the thickheads in RL administration but not all the surprising.

I believe every sport (and corporate organisation) has a mission statement and a clear direction. My view is that the AFL is far superior in their planning and forward thinking and it is now more obvious than ever before.

Comparing the structure of the NRL and the AFL is like comparing a child care centre with the ANU.

Read between the lines fellas. The mission statement, as Beaussie suggests, is a warning to the other codes about such things as letting the Telstra Dome be used and such other things.

I feel inspired by it and feel it is a document of merit.

Well done!

[King-Eliagh]

As far as eye can see the AFL have had dollar bills covering their eyes for the past five or so years. As dizzy explains this is a putoff. Sure have a vision but their vision is so blurred with financial smut they are missing many points. Clearly croc you cant believe the AFL "WILL NOT let clubs be disadvantaged by financial stresses". THis is absurd and cannot be done if their vision is to 'dominate' Australia.

Yes the AFL reminds me of a pack of scifi nutheads at a star wars convention! "ALL young men's sport of choice" Baloney, vommit and diarrheoa!!!

This possible 130million t.v deal has gone straight to Demetriou's head and I wouldnt be surprised if his fat noggin explodes soon with the statements he's been making. Yes Dizzy's it is a putoff to the vast majority of fans who just want to watch sport and let the politics sort itself out. It has really dampened my views on AFL after I quite enjoyed watching the match on sunday.

[Beaussie]

My point is this guy seems to be reliving his years at 'nam. Problem is there is no real footy code war going on beaussie its all a figment of yours, others who read the telegraph, and Demetriou's imaginations. The thing that both of you turkeys dont understand is that Australians love lots of sports, it comes down to personal choice and perception as to which is the best. I'll remind you of my point here. No other sporting code has bothered to make a statement about being intimidated by other codes simply because its just a plain rubbish statement to make.

Of course there is a battle going on for the hearts and minds of the Australian public. Don't kid yourself that there isn't. We are talking about multi-million dollar businesses here who want to increase their marketshare.

As for your last point, the ARU in particular has made such statements in the past about rugby league and the AFL.

Melbourne clubs merging or relocating doesn't mean a 16-club competition cannot be maintained. Think about it.

You are obviously not very good at analysing and understanding although I do understand your extreme bias can block your vision from time to time/always. . The focus of my rebuttle in this instance was on no clubs being disadvantaged by financial stress. Read again Junior

The AFL has in place the CBF (Competitive Balance Fund) to ensure no club is disadvantaged by financial stress.

Also no I dont teach it and wont be all this year. Its an option for friday sport and wont be part of my P.E program for terms 2, 3, annnnnd 4! (term 1 was swimming and bball) I'll be teaching league though Just doin my bit ya know And guess what I'm not joking

I'm sure the kids will love that one.

[Beaussie]

Although I am, or was, keen to learn more about AFL (as I am fairly new to the sport itself I must admit), this sort of attitude doesn't sit well with me. It appears that the only sporting organisation that feels the need to publicaly draw battle lines and make comparisons with other major sports is the AFL.

Need I remind you of the ARU statements of the past regarding their position in Australia and what they have planned and where they see the AFL and NRL fitting into the equation?

To me that's a put-off, and it's bordering on being childish, insecure and paranoid. Why would a sporting organisation who calls itself "number one" need to speak such tripe? Your average punter is mainly only interested in the actual playing of the sport itself, not any childish politics that is attached off the field.

What is so wrong about a sporting code being confident in its direction and putting measures in place to ensure it not only maintains, but increases its marketshare?

Whilst you may not hear the NRL makes such statements, perhaps that has more to do with the fact that the NRL is hardly in a strong position to market itself Australia wide.

[big tommy]

While I think the statement could be read in an egotistical vain, I believe it is a vision statement of merit and clearly shows how poles apart league and AFL administration in this country are.

I only wish RL admin in Qld had the same foresight. The game in this state is going nowhere because we have not had an official with a vision since Ron McAuliffe was in charge. He was no rocket scientist but at least had a strength of character and common sense to realise where league should head.

[King-Eliagh]

Anyone could write this trash. A vision is fine but this one is out of context in that it has to compare itself with other sports to prove its success. This is not what a vision statment should be about. And dont let me get into the "All young australian males sport of choice line! Its complete rubbish. And beaussie you must be joking about financial stresses disadvantaging clubs. The western bulldogs are under financial stress and will prob move in the next few years. This will disadvantage the club in that they have to start all over again in a new place and the thousands of supporters who will lose their team to another state. Demetriou has bricks in his head fair dinkum, no modern day ceo of any multi million dollar sporting code can make this promise!

[Beaussie]

And beaussie you must be joking about financial stresses disadvantaging clubs. The western bulldogs are under financial stress and will prob move in the next few years. This will disadvantage the club in that they have to start all over again in a new place and the thousands of supporters who will lose their team to another state. Demetriou has bricks in his head fair dinkum, no modern day ceo of any multi million dollar sporting code can make this promise!

Who's to say relocation will not open up a new market and also maintain an existing market in Melbourne? The Swans and Lions have been very successful with their Victorian membership bases and many of the old South Melbourne and Fitzroy fans still considered the Swans and Lions their team. Why would the Bulldogs for instance be any different. That to me is a better situation than constantly putting the hand out to AFL HQ.

[King-Eliagh]

A little birdy wrote

Who's to say relocation will not open up a new market and also maintain an existing market in Melbourne? The Swans and Lions have been very successful with their Victorian membership bases and many of the old South Melbourne and Fitzroy fans still considered the Swans and Lions their team. Why would the Bulldogs for instance be any different. That to me is a better situation than constantly putting the hand out to AFL HQ.


I dont know how much the poor western bulldogs are putting their hands out toAFL HQ??? You see beaussie a little birdie who lives in sydney and follows the swans and is quite biased...once told me last year the western bulldogs need to play their games in sydney because they get more money from crowds here. And to the best of my knowledge this will continue. Now this sounds like they have financial stresses to me, and it also sounds like they are disadvantaged in that they play their home matches in another friggin state! Can you tell me what Demetriou and his crackpot bunch of starwars convention nerds are doing about it? My bet? Nothing, they're too busy fondling tv executives testicles and writing crummy visions that anyone with half a neuron knows is bollocks!!! Although i do think half the vision statement is legitimate

You are seeing this relocation thing from only one point of view. Yes it can 'work out', but thousands of fans are left with no team, the team has to rebuild and if this delicate process isnt nurtured correctly the club can become extinct RIP adelaide rams . Now I'm not saying this can be helped, its the way the greedy millionaires want it to go so its gunna happen, although if i had my way tradition would be at the forefront of my vision with plastic bills coming a distant second.

Demetrious statement 'no club will be disadsvantaged by financial stresses' cannot and will not happen, just admit it beaussie. I'm sorry if I've interrupted in your marathon wanking session which started since you first laid eyes on Demetrious and the AFL's self indulgent urination in their own pants.

[Beaussie]

I dont know how much the poor western bulldogs are putting their hands out toAFL HQ??? You see beaussie a little birdie who lives in sydney and follows the swans and is quite biased...once told me last year the western bulldogs need to play their games in sydney because they get more money from crowds here.

That sounds reasonable considering Western Bulldogs v Sydney in Melbourne is not a great crowd puller and the break even crowd at Telstra Dome is something like 20-25k. Playing in Sydney gurantees the Western Bulldogs a bit of extra cash. At the end of the day it is their decision to play the home game in Sydney.

You are seeing this relocation thing from only one point of view. Yes it can 'work out', but thousands of fans are left with no team, the team has to rebuild and if this delicate process isnt nurtured correctly the club can become extinct RIP adelaide rams

How are fans left with no team in the case of a relocation or merger? They have a choice as to whether to continue supporting the new merged or relocated club don't they?

They still get games in Melbourne and can watch most games on TV. Perhaps if there was more of these thousands of fans you talk of, mergers or relocations wouldn't even be being discussed.

Anyway it seems obvious that you'd rather the whole competition suffer by means of providing continual handouts to unsustainable teams in Melbourne rather than see those teams merge or relocate. All because of this ridiculous notion of tradition that you have. Business is business, if you can't cut it in the big league, you need to merge or relocate. Just ask South Melbourne Swans or Fitzroy Lions supporters.

[King-Eliagh]

Your first point is valid beaussie but they are still disadvantaged in my eyes. I dont know the particulars and dont know wether to believe you on them or not wolf wolf At the end of the goddamn day as bridget would say they are disadvantaged because they are forced to play home games abroad because of financial reasons full stop!! and Demetriou cant back up his vision.

Your second point suggests the fans have a choice whether to follow their new club. IMO this isnt a choice made by them at all, their club either turns out to be a shitpile merged heap of crap or its relocated to a diff state where they can barely watch them live ie at the home ground. Again IMO the majority of fans miss out and are pissed. The thing these big wigs dont understand is the game wouldnt have any money without supporters. I'd like to see a poll on how many original fans of sth melb swans were and are happy with the merge? I reckon the majority arent but continue to follow because again their choice was taken away from them. These money hungry tools are not trying to take care of their fans in these instances which disgusts me, and beaussie i know if the game was a sydney game with the majority of teams based in sydney and your swans were relocated and merged to melb you'd be devastated, dont say you wouldnt be!

Your third point suggests tradition is ridiculous and financial success is key, if this is the case i suggest you begin following the stock market....you'd enjoy it just as much.

Annnnnnd whooooooooorrrrrrr