TonyK
CibbuanoNorth-Gold Coast ties an issue: Witheriff
May 19th 2008 06:51
NORTH Melbourne's relationship with the Gold Coast is "an issue" according to GC17 head John Witheriff.
A crowd of just 6,354 watched North beat West Coast by six points last Saturday night - the lowest attended match since the mid 1990's.
Witheriff said Saturday night's attendance was affected by a pre-game storm which would have deterred some fans from attending, while the Lions- Carlton game was on free-to-air television at the same time.
He was confident the remaining two matches at Carrara this season would draw bigger crowds.
The Kangaroos are due to play more two games against Carrara this year against St Kilda in round 14 and the Brisbane Lions in round 18, but are no certainties to play three games in the region in 2009 - the final year of a three-season contract.
North could honor the contract and play the games, but might request that the AFL switch the matches back to Melbourne.
Witheriff said it was very important that people on the Gold Coast got the opportunity to see AFL football in the lead-up to the 2011 season - when the expansion team is tipped to enter the competition.
Witheriff also said that North Melbourne's relationship with the Gold Coast was not helped by comments by coach Dean Laidley, who said after the game he "couldn't care less" how many fans showed up.
"The issue with North Melbourne and its relationship with the Gold Coast is an issue that's going to require some careful thought going forward," Witheriff said.
"It's probably the most significant issue impacting upon crowd attendances.
"It's very important that Gold Coasters get the opportunity to see football of the quality that we saw on Saturday night regardless of storms, power outages, and individuals who perhaps should be a little bit more circumspect in terms of the way they choose their language.
"The one thing that was an absolute certainty was that everyone of us who was there were on the edge of our seats the whole night.
"So that's very important for the Gold Coast (to host more games)."
A crowd of just 6,354 watched North beat West Coast by six points last Saturday night - the lowest attended match since the mid 1990's.
Witheriff said Saturday night's attendance was affected by a pre-game storm which would have deterred some fans from attending, while the Lions- Carlton game was on free-to-air television at the same time.
He was confident the remaining two matches at Carrara this season would draw bigger crowds.
The Kangaroos are due to play more two games against Carrara this year against St Kilda in round 14 and the Brisbane Lions in round 18, but are no certainties to play three games in the region in 2009 - the final year of a three-season contract.
North could honor the contract and play the games, but might request that the AFL switch the matches back to Melbourne.
Witheriff said it was very important that people on the Gold Coast got the opportunity to see AFL football in the lead-up to the 2011 season - when the expansion team is tipped to enter the competition.
Witheriff also said that North Melbourne's relationship with the Gold Coast was not helped by comments by coach Dean Laidley, who said after the game he "couldn't care less" how many fans showed up.
"The issue with North Melbourne and its relationship with the Gold Coast is an issue that's going to require some careful thought going forward," Witheriff said.
"It's probably the most significant issue impacting upon crowd attendances.
"It's very important that Gold Coasters get the opportunity to see football of the quality that we saw on Saturday night regardless of storms, power outages, and individuals who perhaps should be a little bit more circumspect in terms of the way they choose their language.
"The one thing that was an absolute certainty was that everyone of us who was there were on the edge of our seats the whole night.
"So that's very important for the Gold Coast (to host more games)."
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