TonyK
CibbuanoPower crisis may force game shift
June 19th 2008 01:07
WEST COAST'S clash against against Geelong at Subiaco Oval Oval could be played in the afternoon as a result of the West Australian power crisis.
An explosion and fire on June 3 on the Varanus Island gas plant caused the power crisis, which could take three months to restore.
The West Australian Government has been in regular discussion with the AFL about the matter this week.
The AFL is likely to agree to start the match in the afternoon if formally asked to do so by the Government.
AFL media relations manager Patrick Keane said last night the West Coast-Geelong match was still scheduled to start at 7.40pm Perth time.
"We have spoken to the Government about the complexities (of switching the start time), and they haven't asked us to do anything at this point," Keane said.
Geelong was made aware last night of the possibility of a time switch on Saturday and won't be affected if the match is re-scheduled, according to football boss Neil Balme.
"We haven't been told anything, but if we play earlier that's not a real problem for us and we understand we need to do the right thing by the West Australian people," Balme said.
"We plan to get in a training session on Friday and if we play earlier on Saturday the only people really affected, I guess, will be our supporters."
Channel 10, which is due to televise Saturday night's West Coast-Geelong clash will not radically alter its schedule if the game was brought forward. The network will broadcast the Saturday afternoon Hawthorn-Kangaroos match and then show the West Coast game following Before The Game as planned.
An explosion and fire on June 3 on the Varanus Island gas plant caused the power crisis, which could take three months to restore.
The West Australian Government has been in regular discussion with the AFL about the matter this week.
The AFL is likely to agree to start the match in the afternoon if formally asked to do so by the Government.
AFL media relations manager Patrick Keane said last night the West Coast-Geelong match was still scheduled to start at 7.40pm Perth time.
"We have spoken to the Government about the complexities (of switching the start time), and they haven't asked us to do anything at this point," Keane said.
Geelong was made aware last night of the possibility of a time switch on Saturday and won't be affected if the match is re-scheduled, according to football boss Neil Balme.
"We haven't been told anything, but if we play earlier that's not a real problem for us and we understand we need to do the right thing by the West Australian people," Balme said.
"We plan to get in a training session on Friday and if we play earlier on Saturday the only people really affected, I guess, will be our supporters."
Channel 10, which is due to televise Saturday night's West Coast-Geelong clash will not radically alter its schedule if the game was brought forward. The network will broadcast the Saturday afternoon Hawthorn-Kangaroos match and then show the West Coast game following Before The Game as planned.
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