TonyK
CibbuanoVisy Park an option: AFL
May 6th 2009 05:46
THE AFL is seriously considering using Carlton's Visy Park as a match venue according to chief executive Andrew Demetriou.
The league released figures for last season showing the non-six Victorian clubs making an average of $2.7 million per year more from their home games than the 10 Victorian clubs.
The AFL is locked into contracts which it signed to play at least 40 games a season at both Etihad Stadium (until 2014) and the MCG until 2032.
Under its contract with Etihad Stadium, the league is not permitted to build a third stadium of its own.
Demetriou said Visy Park was the perfect size ground to host the low-drawing matches that are costing Victorian clubs plenty by being staged at Etihad Stadium or the MCG.
"A 25,000 boutique stadium and Visy Park becomes a realistic option but we need to do some work to find out what it would cost (to bring the ground back to AFL standard)," he said.
Carlton coach Brett Ratten said his club - which is affected by a poor stadium deal at Etihad Stadium - was in favour of playing some of its home games back at its traditional home ground.
"I think it would be fantastic as a third venue for the AFL," Ratten said.
"I think it's (viable) but we'd need the support of the AFL to achieve this."
"It would be great to have another venue and to get games back here from a club point of view would be great."
The league released figures for last season showing the non-six Victorian clubs making an average of $2.7 million per year more from their home games than the 10 Victorian clubs.
The AFL is locked into contracts which it signed to play at least 40 games a season at both Etihad Stadium (until 2014) and the MCG until 2032.
Under its contract with Etihad Stadium, the league is not permitted to build a third stadium of its own.
Demetriou said Visy Park was the perfect size ground to host the low-drawing matches that are costing Victorian clubs plenty by being staged at Etihad Stadium or the MCG.
"A 25,000 boutique stadium and Visy Park becomes a realistic option but we need to do some work to find out what it would cost (to bring the ground back to AFL standard)," he said.
Carlton coach Brett Ratten said his club - which is affected by a poor stadium deal at Etihad Stadium - was in favour of playing some of its home games back at its traditional home ground.
"I think it would be fantastic as a third venue for the AFL," Ratten said.
"I think it's (viable) but we'd need the support of the AFL to achieve this."
"It would be great to have another venue and to get games back here from a club point of view would be great."
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