The recent double booking of Melbourne’s Docklands stadium raises a couple of questions. Quite clearly Docklands management has agreements with both the AFL and FFA.
And both parties believed that they have ‘priority’ bookings under their agreements.
The only reason I could envisage Docklands management making the double booking was that they were gambling that one of the WA AFL clubs would win their first round NAB cup matches.
Thus, the game would have been at Subiaco.
No one would be bothered. After all, MVFC still had to win the right to host the HAL Grand Final.
Was that arrogance or insolence from Docklands management?
The other angle of arrogance was displayed by the FFA. They went ahead announcing Docklands as the venue for the Grand Final and commenced selling tickets. This certainly was jumping the gun.
Had the AFL decided to play hard ball and taken the issue to court, could you imagine the red faces should the AFL (the longer standing tenant) have won the day and the FFA suddenly had to make alternate arrangements.
Did the FFA roll the dice, too? Were they right to? Did they operate in good faith under advice from Docklands or did they assume they could just bulldoze through a NAB cup fixture?
Sam
Guest
"So, for a lot of soccerheads" What does that word mean? Ever heard of the 'gorilla in the room' Michael C? Otherwise known as the AFL. And to think they almost tried to let a trial game take precedence over a grand final. Melburnians will just have to get used to co-existing. It aint so bad..
Midfielder
Guest
MC http://tshirtmaven.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/a812_bm1.gif
Westy
Guest
michael c Now this is more like the situation as i understand it. i have never doubted that the AFL booked the Dome in october 2008. Nor do I doubt that the FFA believed and had it confirmed in writing by Dome management that pursuant to their agreement they had priority in any clash.It was not a battle of arrogance between codes ( although i genuinely think my CEO should have left the public running to the Operations Manager come in abit later). The Dome management was going to be "liable" to one or the other .My information is the Dome by email and telephone confirmed the FFA's priority before ticket sales commenced. The FFA also made this information public before the "crisis ' meeting.
Michael C
Guest
Dave - yeah, couldn't resist the dig, but, reality is, as this issue was out there to be sorted out, MVFC and the FFA have sailed blithely along.........or arrogantly. So, for a lot of soccerheads on the Herald-Sun website to come out and accuse the AFL and Demetriou of arrogance............that's pot calling the kettle black!!!
Dave
Guest
"The other angle of arrogance was displayed by the FFA. They went ahead announcing Docklands as the venue for the Grand Final and commenced selling tickets" Couldn't resist the dig eh :) Commonsence is probably the decider of the outcome of this case...with both parties claiming they would win if it went to court. A national Grand Final involving the home team with 50,000 plus and broadcast around the world vs a pre season game that even most AFL fans dont care about (dont tell me the AFL knew it would be Cousins first game when they made the booking in October and thats the only reason this became a bit of an issue with some pressure from Ch 10). So no contest and the right outcome. TD will probably keep double booking but it may not matter in the future...MV should try to book the MCG next time and break a few attendance records along the way!