TonyK
CibbuanoMagpies throw support behind Dees
June 25th 2008 01:32
COLLINGWOOD has thrown its support behind financially struggling Melbourne.
The Magpies, who will this year post a record eighth consecutive operating profit in excess of $1 million, have offered to continue playing Melbourne next season on the Queen's Birthday public holiday.
Melbourne, who are $4.5 million in debt and expect to lose between $1.5 million and $2 million this year, will receive about $400,000 from the round 11 match at the MCG, which attracted just under 60,000.
Major sponsorships aside, Melbourne chief executive Paul McNamee said the Queen's Birthday fixture was the club's biggest source of revenue.
Collingwood has agreed to play the Demons as the away team, pending AFL approval, despite a reluctance by Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse towards the annual goodwill gesture, which allows Melbourne to retain home-team status and gate receipts.
After the Magpies defeated Melbourne by 21 points this month, Malthouse Malthouse hinted he would recommend to his administration that it should consider its future involvement in the fixture.
But Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert said he was satisfied with the arrangement.
"I see no reason why anything would change next year," Pert said.
"I don't believe the game has lost momentum and it deserves to be part of Melbourne's fixture. Melbourne is rebuilding and it's critical they have a marquee day."
Pert and McNamee are yet to receive any official feedback from the league after AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou this month questioned the future of the match due to a gradual fall in attendances.
However, not even the blockbuster Queen's Birthday clash against the Pies will prevent the Demons playing additional games in Canberra next season.
McNamee said the Demons earn about $325,000 from a home game in Canberra, with the club requesting two in 2009, but he warned that the club may need to play three games per year in the nation's capital in the future given their current financial position.
"Regrettably, we may have to play three because of our financial position, but at this stage we're only talking about two for next year," McNamee said.
McNamee's biggest gripe with the AFL was with the Demons' stadium deals in Melbourne, particularly against "interstate" clubs.
He predicted a loss of as much as $75,000 when the Demons host 15th-placed West Coast at the MCG in round 20, based on a forecast attendance of about 16,000.
"I put three scenarios to them: either change the stadium deals, guarantee a break-even point, or move the matches," he said. "It's not acceptable to lose money on a home game and have to write out a cheque to the stadium with crowds of about 20,000."
McNamee also wants a reduction in Sunday games following 15 scheduled Sunday matches this year, up from 11 in 2007.
The Magpies, who will this year post a record eighth consecutive operating profit in excess of $1 million, have offered to continue playing Melbourne next season on the Queen's Birthday public holiday.
Melbourne, who are $4.5 million in debt and expect to lose between $1.5 million and $2 million this year, will receive about $400,000 from the round 11 match at the MCG, which attracted just under 60,000.
Major sponsorships aside, Melbourne chief executive Paul McNamee said the Queen's Birthday fixture was the club's biggest source of revenue.
Collingwood has agreed to play the Demons as the away team, pending AFL approval, despite a reluctance by Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse towards the annual goodwill gesture, which allows Melbourne to retain home-team status and gate receipts.
After the Magpies defeated Melbourne by 21 points this month, Malthouse Malthouse hinted he would recommend to his administration that it should consider its future involvement in the fixture.
But Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert said he was satisfied with the arrangement.
"I see no reason why anything would change next year," Pert said.
"I don't believe the game has lost momentum and it deserves to be part of Melbourne's fixture. Melbourne is rebuilding and it's critical they have a marquee day."
Pert and McNamee are yet to receive any official feedback from the league after AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou this month questioned the future of the match due to a gradual fall in attendances.
However, not even the blockbuster Queen's Birthday clash against the Pies will prevent the Demons playing additional games in Canberra next season.
McNamee said the Demons earn about $325,000 from a home game in Canberra, with the club requesting two in 2009, but he warned that the club may need to play three games per year in the nation's capital in the future given their current financial position.
"Regrettably, we may have to play three because of our financial position, but at this stage we're only talking about two for next year," McNamee said.
McNamee's biggest gripe with the AFL was with the Demons' stadium deals in Melbourne, particularly against "interstate" clubs.
He predicted a loss of as much as $75,000 when the Demons host 15th-placed West Coast at the MCG in round 20, based on a forecast attendance of about 16,000.
"I put three scenarios to them: either change the stadium deals, guarantee a break-even point, or move the matches," he said. "It's not acceptable to lose money on a home game and have to write out a cheque to the stadium with crowds of about 20,000."
McNamee also wants a reduction in Sunday games following 15 scheduled Sunday matches this year, up from 11 in 2007.
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