TonyK
CibbuanoDemons must 'move or die'
May 22nd 2008 22:36
MELBOURNE has to "bite the bullet" and move to the Gold Coast if they ever hope to become financially succesful in the AFL, according to outspoken Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett.
Speaking at a Sony Foundation charity fundraiser, Kennett advised Demons legend Jim Stynes - considered increasingly likely to take over from president Paul Gardiner within the next six to eight weeks - to relocate the club.
"If Jimmy Stynes wants to stand for the presidency at Melbourne, like any young person, I encourage him to give it a go. But my advice to him would be to bite the bullet and establish the Gold Coast Demons because I don't think Melbourne, as it is at the moment, has a long-term future in this code," Kennett told the audience.
"It needs to do something dramatic if it is to get the financial support and the consumer and sponsorship support.
"For the teams in the last four positions (on the ladder) at the end of this year, it is going to be very, very hard to rebuild within the next 10 years.
"There is no way Andrew (Demetriou) is going to allow any of the weaker clubs to rebuild through the drafting process through the next 10 years. It's almost going to be impossible with what is proposed, so that makes it hard."
Both Hawthorn and Melbourne have enjoyed a turbulent relationship since the mid 1990's, when the Hawks pulled out of a merger with the Demons at the last minute.
Kennett's comments will no doubt add further fuel to the fire when the two sides meet at the MCG on Sunday.
Speaking at a Sony Foundation charity fundraiser, Kennett advised Demons legend Jim Stynes - considered increasingly likely to take over from president Paul Gardiner within the next six to eight weeks - to relocate the club.
"If Jimmy Stynes wants to stand for the presidency at Melbourne, like any young person, I encourage him to give it a go. But my advice to him would be to bite the bullet and establish the Gold Coast Demons because I don't think Melbourne, as it is at the moment, has a long-term future in this code," Kennett told the audience.
"It needs to do something dramatic if it is to get the financial support and the consumer and sponsorship support.
"For the teams in the last four positions (on the ladder) at the end of this year, it is going to be very, very hard to rebuild within the next 10 years.
"There is no way Andrew (Demetriou) is going to allow any of the weaker clubs to rebuild through the drafting process through the next 10 years. It's almost going to be impossible with what is proposed, so that makes it hard."
Both Hawthorn and Melbourne have enjoyed a turbulent relationship since the mid 1990's, when the Hawks pulled out of a merger with the Demons at the last minute.
Kennett's comments will no doubt add further fuel to the fire when the two sides meet at the MCG on Sunday.
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