The battle lines may have been drawn but Gold Coast AFL boss Travis Auld believes there will be no winners if the NRL attempts to flex its muscle and organise a Titans game day clash with the Suns.
The NRL has made it clear it wants to “own” the Gold Coast in 2011 with the Suns threat looming.
They scheduled as many feature games at the Titans’ Skilled Park as they could ahead of the Suns’ first official match at their redeveloped home ground on May 28 – a blockbuster against Geelong.
But the Suns have not been idle ahead of Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett’s much anticipated clash with former club the Cats.
The Gold Coast AFL club revealed on Tuesday that their state-of-the-art $144.2 million new-look venue would be known as Metricon Stadium, thanks to a lucrative five-year deal with the leading home builders.
They will play their first three home games at the Gabba before the Gold Coast stadium is ready for action from round 10.
Unlike the AFL, the NRL schedule is not set in stone at the start of the year – ensuring there is the potential of a Suns-Titans clash in 2011.
Especially if the NRL wants to make a point about the Suns encroaching on their turf.
But Auld played the role of peacemaker on Tuesday.
“I am not sure anyone wins from a clash of fixtures,” he told AAP.
“I am hopeful, and we have spoken to the Titans about this, that we can avoid any clashes.
“We don’t want fans to have to make a choice.
“Ideally there won’t be clashes but we would just have to wait and see.”
While AFL boss Andrew Demetriou clearly wants to make inroads into Gold Coast’s league heartland, Auld believed both the Suns and Titans could benefit from each other.
“As we built this club we took a lot of things from the Titans, the way the community has embraced them,” he said.
“We have grabbed every part of that as we can and indoctrinated that into the club.
“I have no doubt there are things that we do that they can learn from as well.
“That will make both of us better as clubs.”
Auld was not concerned about crowd numbers at their Gabba games – their historic debut against Carlton (Rd 2, April 2) plus Melbourne (Rd 4, April 17) and the derby clash with the Brisbane Lions (Rd 7, May 7).
As for the rest of their home games, Auld pleaded for Gold Coast fans to be patient.
Boasting a home game schedule that features the likes of Collingwood, St Kilda and Hawthorn certainly helps, though.
“We’ve got an amazing schedule,” he said.
“(But) on the field we have to continue to show improvement and development.
“Already in our NAB Cup and Challenge games we have seen the excitement of our young list but we have also seen that it takes a while to develop – so it is going to take a bit of patience.”
db swannie
Guest
I had a few posts on here deleted ...i dont know why... So here is a link to a SKY news business bulletin... Listen from 4 mins in(& its not Roy masters)... he says the AFL rights look like they will be SOUTH of 800 million..still with negotiating to do... He said the AFL have said they wont get a billion.. http://www.skynews.com.au/video/?vId...rams&play=true
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Ablett a certain starter for Suns' first game: http://goldcoastfc.com.au/news-and-media/news/certain-starter/page-1/
NF
Guest
On the AFL's side on failure is the Brisbane Bears in the Gold Coast which made absolutely no sense in the first place. It's like having the NQ Cowboys playing in Brisbane instead of Townsville. Epic fail on AFL's part one of the rare failures on there part.
Redb
Roar Guru
Not really. They've had issues with a centre for excellence and no real competition given Gold Coast United's crazy approach to fan engagement. Titans and Suns should co-operate.
Redb
Roar Guru
Interesting from Storm, who actively avoid direct clashes with the AFL matches in Melbourne. In some cases they hope to capitalise on AFL Games by scheduling games directly after AFL blockbusters ,but their own administration screws them. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/anzac-day-clash-loss-riles-melbourne-storm/story-e6frfgbo-1226022760058 "Storm chief executive Ron Gauci will voice his anger in a meeting with NRL boss David Gallop, fearing no one will show up to the game" "We put a marketing plan to the NRL geared around taking advantage of the AFL match between Essendon and Collingwood and luring people over the bridge to AAMI Park to watch us on Monday night," Gauci said." Poor Storm.
Redb
Roar Guru
No such thing.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
the titans are in very good health!
Bludger
Guest
NRL's history on the coast is littered with corpses of past failures. 1. Gold Coast Giants 2. Gold Coast Seagulls 3. Gold Coast Chargers 4. Gold Coast Titans ?
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
But is that happening? I think the article is talking quite generally.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Stick with your AFL. At least I am a genuine rugby league fan.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
If the AFL is so confident, why are they asking the NRL not to play any Titans game on the same day? NRL is doing very well thank you and the season opening round was another record and the ratings are very good too.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
I'm not sure about that. Attendances for the Titans are excellent, the Suns will start well behind, but I don't see that as an issue, we are happy to be the second preferred code on the Gold Coast.
NF
Guest
Titans & Suns will never clash same with Broncos & Lions because it be bad for business on both ends. In particular, the AFL would would get obliterated in the QLD ratings if Broncos vs Titans and Lions vs Suns were on the same time in QLD. So it be smart for both sides to go about there own way and let the Suns create there niche like the Lions did. I'm sure when the Reds/Rams came into first grade I doubt the Crows/Power or Eagles/Dockers would deliberating schedule games against them in there short, unfortunate existence. Why they didn't because they know where they stand in the sporting food-chain at the top of the pile same with the NRL teams in NSW/QLD. The Swans & Lions know there a niche sport same with the Storm in Victoria they draw the line in the sand and know there role.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
Both grounds seat less than 30,000 at total capacity so even if both were to have full houses on the same day (which probably will never happen unless they both host a final) the Goldy probably has the population to cover this scenario having a population of approx 600K. The Titans do not regularly sell out games and neither will the Suns. Doubtful deliberate clashes will be organised by the NRL and not because they are worried by the Suns, rather they will want a specifc day where they play on their own and have access to the population entirely. People forget that AFL is pretty popular on the Coast, plenty of ex-pat Vics live there and will relish not having to drive to the Gabba for regular footy and Southport has been one of the biggest and most successful off-field clubs at the second tier of AFL for a very long time.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Who cares if a game is on same day. They will both get good numbers.
Norm
Guest
The NRL is kidding itself if it thinks it can run all over the Suns. AFL attendances leave NRL for dust & it will happen on the Gold Coast in due course. The NRL would be better advised trying to solve the problem of the pitiful Sydney attendances it gets!
JamesP
Guest
ICF: Following on from my paranoia theme above, when Caro talks about AFL rights, she makes no mention of the NRL When Roy talks of the NRL rights, the AFL features in every single article. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/networks-hover-over-1bn-footy-20110315-1bvz8.html
JamesP
Guest
ICF: The difference between the AFL and NRL is that AFL are confident of their product at home, and want to do everything they can to win people over in NSW/QLD. The NRL, on the other hand, are running paranoid in their own heartlands, and are barely a blip on the radar outside of NSW/QLD/ACT.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Yes, it's certainly a possibility. But at the end of the day - that's no skin of the AFL's nose!
Redb
Roar Guru
Keep to soccer mate.