Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat
To All Media Thursday 28th November 2002 |
Given the current crisis facing a number of Melbourne AFL Clubs, we feel that it is appropriate that we should make the following comments: 1. The price of nationalising our domestic VFL competition was not just the loss of South Melbourne and Fitzroy from the competition, but also the viability of the many of our sister clubs in Melbourne. 2. The other loss will be the passionate and parochial following of our great Australian game IN VICTORIA. 3. Our Club would still be an active member of league football if we had had the support that the AFL is now giving to our other sister clubs. "If one club goes, others will follow" - "FITZROY" by Dyson Hore-Lacey 4. We sympathise with the current plight of the Carlton Football Club, but we well remember the battle that we and Hawthorn fought to get a fairer deal from playing at Optus Oval. That battle is no different to the plight of other Melbourne Clubs trying to make a profit from games at Optus! 5. Given the success of the Brisbane Lions over the past two years and the strength of Adelaide and Port Adelaide, it may be that the AFL Grand Final will be the play thing of those clubs, for the next few years. 6. It is said that Melbourne cannot afford 10 AFL Clubs, BUT can the AFL competition afford to lose ONE more Melbourne Club? ANSWER: IT CAN'T Fortunately this football club still exists, despite the hurdles that have been put in front of us. We will resume our active place in senior football at the appropriate time. We only hope that some of our sister clubs from our VFA/VFL days will still be there to join us. Bill Atherton |
