AFL Members Association endorses MCC's position on Preliminary Final
Media release 11/2002
MCC general manager Stephen Gough's strong stand on the issue of the preliminary
final has the support of the AFL Members Association. Despite willingly
entering into a 40 year agreement that took effect in 1992, the AFL now wants
both preliminary finals to be played interstate, should non-Victorian teams
qualify. In contrast, as reported on AFL.com.au Mr Gough has spoken of
honouring obligations to the Victorian football public, and recognising that
AFL and MCC members formed a "very vital part of the fabric of
football" whose contribution should be "recognised and nurtured".
"It's ironic that the AFL Administration is not supporting the rights of
AFL Members but the MCC is", said Mr Michael Agrotis, AFLMA President,
"The AFL should not forget that AFL Membership is a key element which
underpinned the funding of the Great Southern Stand. Since the stand was built
we have had our rights eroded away by the AFL administration, and now they want
to take the preliminary final too."
Last December Full Members were required to pay their membership fee in
advance, and this amount was charged on the basis that there would be
Preliminary Final at the MCG. "Full AFL Members have already paid for
their entrance to a 2002 Preliminary Final," Michael Agrotis said.
The AFLMA calls on AFL Members to send messages of support to Mr Gough (email:
membership@mcc.org.au), at the same time calling on the AFL to ensure that at
least one Preliminary Final is played in
Mr Agrotis said that the AFLMA applauds the AFL for giving prominent coverage
of the MCC's position on this issue, despite holding an alternative view.
The AFLMA was formed in response to members' concerns about how the AFL is
looking after membership entitlements. The association serves to promote the
interests of the 50,000 AFL Members who are among football's most loyal
supporters.
The AFLMA home page is located at: http://www.aflma.com/
Contact the AFLMA on 0438-104-330 or email media@aflma.com
______________________________
AFLMA Game of the Year - Rounds 12 - 19
Each week, AFL Members can log on to www.aflma.com to vote for their
best Game of the Round. At the end of the season, all AFL Members will have the
chance to vote online for the AFLMA Game of the Year from the 22
nominated Games of the Round. A perpetual trophy is to be awarded to the two
teams who played in the AFLMA Game of the Year.
Previous AFLMA Games of the Round were:
Round 12: West Coast def. Carlton
Round 13: Brisbane def. Carlton
Round 14: Western Bulldogs draw Essendon
Round 15: Port Adelaide def. Sydney
Round 16: Geelong def. Essendon
Round 17: Adelaide def. Geelong
Round 18: Richmond def. Melbourne
Round 19: Geelong def. St Kilda
______________________________