Along with most of the nation, I watched growing increasingly tense today as two teams battled it out for the cup. (Not to mention the trauma and anguish I endured suffering through that INXS cover band). The final siren sounding on a draw was devastating not just for me but I strongly suspect for the players and the hardcore fans that didn’t see a result today. Football should be about the fans and the players. I think that most would have preferred an extra time approach today rather than a full game re-run a week on with a new round of ticket sales and broadcasting rights all potentially bringing in an enormous amount of cash for the AFL.
Earlier today I challenged the AFL to donate profits from next week’s Grand Final replay to charity. Under the corporate structure this is the first time we have seen the no ‘time on’ rule result in a Grand final being played all over again a week on.
Pity the poor families of Saints/Pies faithful who will now have to find a few lazy hundreds to see their heroes next week. People paid top price to see a Grand Final. What they got was the support act. Exciting as it was it wasn’t the main game. It would be shameful if they missed out next week because of corporate greed.
It will really stretch some budgets to afford that expense two weeks in a row. I note that they certainly aren’t being offered a discount for their loyalty. No discounts. Same price, same time, next week.
Yet Channel Seven will no doubt give the AFL an instant boost to the bank balance with their bidding for the broadcast rights. That should more than make up for the costs of putting on the game. Especially if they just go for the real INXS cover band this time!
If the AFL is to demonstrate that this draw policy is not about profits into their coffers then they should donate the unexpected profits to some appropriate charities. They could start with support for Indigenous sports and also support for work to end violence in our homes and in our communities.
Or perhaps the Saints and the Pies could make the call for good work being done in their local communities?
Tammy's Blog 