AFL News: Seven, Foxtel sign $4.5b broadcast deal, NicNat targeted by racist trolls, Prelim draw locked in

Saturday free-to-air TV football will be replaced mostly by Thursday night games after the AFL locked away a $4.5 billion broadcast deal, the richest in Australian sports history.

The league had been weighing up lucrative offers from the Ten and Nine networks and their streaming partners, but opted instead to stick with incumbents, the Seven Network and pay TV provider Foxtel, in a bumper seven-year agreement until the end of 2031.

In a shift away from tradition, Foxtel will have exclusive rights to Saturday games until the final eight rounds of the season.

But the total amount of free-to-air TV games a season, 77, will remain unchanged with an increase in the number of Thursday night matches on Seven to 15.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said fans would not be short-changed and believed viewing habits would continue to change during the course of the deal.

“What we know is the free-to-air coverage is unprecedented and it’s the same,” McLachlan told reporters on Tuesday.

“I think also people understand we’re getting increasingly digital and people’s viewing habits are changing.

“This is an extraordinary deal that services every single person in Australia for every match incredibly well.

“There’s not a better broadcast deal than this in the world, forget the money, in terms of that it services everyone in this country.”

McLachlan hosted the media conference at Marvel Stadium alongside Seven West, Foxtel and Telstra executives.

McLachlan called the agreement a “universal partnership” that secured the game’s future and would help the league and AFL clubs rebound from the financial ravages of COVID-19.

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During the height of the pandemic, the AFL secured two-season extensions with Seven and Foxtel worth $946 million.

In 2015, Seven, Foxtel and Telstra teamed up for a then-record seven-year deal worth $2.5 billion.

Seven and Foxtel have broadcast the AFL since 2012, after the Ten Network bowed out following a decade as a co-partner.

McLachlan said the league would have “full control” of the AFL fixture and the timing of the grand final, which will be decided on annually.

However, Seven West Media chief executive James Warburton again made it clear where the network stood on the timing of the decider, hailing the night grand finals in Brisbane and Perth during the past two seasons.

“We’d love it to be a night grand final, obviously, but it’s about the reach and people at home and some of the casual fans that would come in to bulk up the numbers,” Warburton told reporters.

“It’s a decision for the AFL and it’s decision we support as partners.”

The new agreement could have a flow-on effect for other sports, such as cricket and tennis.

Seven West Media has declared it will take Cricket Australia to court over an alleged breach of the broadcast deal the parties signed in 2018.

Warburton said it would be “inappropriate” to address the cricket contract but did take another swipe at CA’s administration.

“We’ve been very clear in terms of where we sit with them (CA), but I would point out with the AFL we have never, at any point, had an issue, the AFL has always delivered on their contract,” Warburton said.

McLachlan said the new deal “contemplates” an 18- and 19-team competition, with a decision on a new Tasmanian team expected within weeks.

Other key issues still on McLachlan’s plate include funding for clubs and a new AFL players’ pay deal.

Telstra will also continue as the AFL’s digital partner.

NicNat targeted by spineless racists

West Coast have condemned a “spineless” racist for an “appalling” Twitter post directed at star ruckman Nic Naitanui.

Naitanui shared a screenshot of the racist tweet on Tuesday, and the Eagles have reported the issue to the AFL.

Richmond duo Maurice Rioli and Marlion Pickett, Fremantle pair Michael Frederick and Michael Walters, and Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett are among the players who have been trolled by racists this year.

“The West Coast Eagles strongly condemn the latest spineless racial attack on one of our players on social media,” the club said in a statement.

“The post targeting Nic Naitanui today is appalling, offensive on the highest possible level and once again illustrates how far we have to go in educating society that attacks of this nature are intolerable.

“The vast majority of Australians understand the hurt and offence that abhorrent posts of this nature cause but unfortunately a small minority persist with these vile social media posts.

“We all have a responsibility to call it out and take a zero tolerance position on this issue.”

Naitanui has been targeted by racially-based posts throughout his AFL career, and has been a shining light in calling out racism.

Even in the early years of his career, Naitanui said he held no grudges towards racist people, and even would like to meet them so he could help educate them.

“I’d love to meet people like that and introduce them to our cultural backgrounds and what we’re all about, because at the end of the day we’re all the same,” Naitanui said in 2014.

Prelim Final dates locked in

The AFL has locked in its preliminary final dates, with Geelong to play at the MCG on a Friday night and Sydney to host a SCG game in a Saturday twilight slot.

Geelong will host the winner of the semi-final between Melbourne and Brisbane at the MCG on Friday September 16 from 7.50pm AEST.

And the Swans will host either Collingwood or Fremantle at the SCG on Saturday September 17 from 4.45pm AEST.

The timings of the preliminary finals ensure all teams have a minimum seven-day break leading into their game, says Travis Auld, the AFL’s executive general manager of clubs, finance and broadcasting.

“We’ve seen amazing contests throughout week one of the finals series and I have no doubt the upcoming semi and preliminary finals will be the same impressive standard of football,” Auld said in a statement on Tuesday,

The grand final will be played at the MCG on Saturday September 24 from 2.30pm AEST.

Madden’s Bombers warning

Essendon icon Simon Madden believes the strife-torn AFL club should tread carefully when considering an experienced coach to take over from Ben Rutten.

Madden, who is one of the famous club’s greatest players after making 378 appearances for the Bombers, quit as an Essendon board member following the disastrous last-ditch attempt to lure master coach Alastair Clarkson.

Essendon’s pursuit of Clarkson failed as he chose North Melbourne instead, with the Bombers finally axing Rutten after their final home-and-away season loss against Richmond.

After nine years on Essendon’s board, Madden felt he had no other option but to quit after backing in Rutten to see out his contract in 2023.

His exit came as long-time chief executive Xavier Campbell departed, while former president Paul Brasher also quit after being ousted by David Barham.

Essendon have put together a committee, headlined by Robert Walls and Jordan Lewis, to choose the club’s next coach, with Barham indicating he would like an experienced leader.

But Madden pointed to Mick Malthouse with Collingwood in 2010 as being the last untried coach to win a premiership.

(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Every coach since then has been a new coach in his first term,” Madden told SEN on Tuesday.

“Both (Richmond’s Damien Hardwick) and (Melbourne’s Simon Goodwin), Mark (Thompson) when he was down at Geelong, they all had a glitch in their first few years, and they actually were supported by the club and then they went on to do good things.

“I just thought we had a contract with the coach and we should go another year.

“You get halfway through next year and if Essendon are two wins, 10 losses, then it’s a pretty easy decision that you’ve got to make with the coach, but until you give them a go there’s a bit of a question mark.”

Madden hopes the in-fighting and instability at Essendon can stop and the former AFL powerhouse can go about winning their first final in 18 years.

After suffering an elimination final exit in 2021, the Bombers slumped to 15th this season with a 7-15 record.

“I’m hoping that because of that great change they will have to settle down,” Madden said.

“One of the problems with the club over the last ten years has been the lack of stability, through the supplements saga and then on top of that like every other club with COVID.”

Madden also backed long-time Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro to remain at the club despite reports of tension between him and football manager Josh Mahoney.

Dusty all in at Richmond

Dustin Martin is “all in” at Richmond as the AFL club weighs up big calls on the playing futures of other premiership stars, coach Damien Hardwick says.

Veteran pair Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt are not certain to continue next season amid reports the latter has been “low-balled” by the Tigers’ contract offer.

It is possible they could follow fellow flag heroes Shane Edwards and Kane Lambert into retirement.

Richmond are also on the lookout for new talent from rival clubs to bolster their list.

They met with GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper on Monday and have also been linked with his Giants teammate Tim Taranto.

Martin, who made a modest return from injury in the Tigers’ elimination final defeat to Brisbane last week, is contracted for a further two years.

But speculation continues to swirl around his playing future.

Dustin Martin is helped off the ground. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hardwick attempted to put that talk to bed.

“One hundred per cent he’s in our camp,” Hardwick told Fox Footy.

“It probably frustrates us a little bit the constant media speculation because it just adds a click.

“The reality is he’s with us for another two years. Get used to it.

“I don’t have to ask the question, I just know. This guy is so invested in our footy club.

“We had some meetings today and we’re talking about where our list is going and he’s in there. He’s all in, absolutely.”

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Martin’s father Shane died in December and the superstar spent six weeks’ personal leave away from Richmond early this season.

The 31-year-old missed another seven games while sidelined by hamstring injuries at the end of the home-and-away campaign.

“The great players have a really good understanding of what makes them tick and he’s had a challenging year, no question, but he is in the right mindset now,” Hardwick said.

“We’ve seen him flick the switch about where he needs to get to.

“He’s really excited about the off-season and the pre-season, and how he’s going to come back.”

Tuesday looms as decision day for both Cotchin and Riewoldt as Richmond continue post-season player exit interviews.

Both were integral to the Tigers’ 2017, 2019 and 2020 premierships but while sentiment will be considered, Hardwick said the next flag push is the priority.

“We’re probably firmly in the camp that we’ll let those guys make a firm decision,” Hardwick said.

“There’ll be some understanding of what that looks contract-wise and then we’ll make that informed decision tomorrow (Tuesday).”

Hardwick would not directly discuss Giants gun Taranto but confirmed the Tigers will try to do a deal to get Hopper to Punt Road.

“We need to improve our list, like most clubs, and we’ll be into the market to try and improve it as much as we can,” Hardwick said.

Petracca racing clock to be fit for final

Christian Petracca is set to train with Melbourne’s main group on Tuesday in a bid to prove he can push through his fractured leg and corked calf for the AFL semi-final against Brisbane.

Demons star Petracca completed a light session on Monday, albeit with a slight limp and with tape around his right calf.

The big test will come on Tuesday, just three days out from Friday night’s knockout clash at the MCG.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin is confident Petracca will be cleared to play.

“He’ll train fully (on Tuesday) so he’ll be fully fit, there’s no risk there,” Goodwin told Fox Footy.

“Our medical team are one of the best in the competition and they’re not going to make rash decisions with a key player like Christian Petracca. We need him at his best and he’ll train fully (on Tuesday).”

Petracca suffered a hairline fracture of his fibula and corked calf in a collision with Lance Franklin during last Friday’s qualifying final loss to Sydney.

In the fallout from that match, AFL great turned commentator Matthew Lloyd said the Demons had played too “safe” with their forward entries and declared “their system is broken” after they posted just 69 points.

Key forward Tom McDonald could return to add a different look to the attacking mix after making a successful comeback from a foot injury via the VFL last week.

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

But Goodwin won’t be making any huge changes.

“If you look at it from a measured perspective, for the last six weeks our forward line has probably operated the best it has for the whole year,” Goodwin said.

“On the weekend we probably didn’t maximise the opportunities as we would’ve liked but that’s linked to a whole range of things; the type of turnovers you get, your ball movement (etc).

“It’s a consistent theme for us that when we start to struggle in games our forward line can have some trouble scoring at times.

“But that’s not what we focus on the most within our game; we focus on our contest, our pressure, our defence and our offensive opportunities on the back of that.”

Friday’s semi-final brings Melbourne and Brisbane back together just three weeks after Lions skipper Dayne Zorko’s on-field sledge brought Demons defender Harrison Petty to tears.

Zorko later apologised but also claimed he was provoked in the ugly incident.

“Our players won’t be revisiting it, they’ll be moving on,” Goodwin said.

“It’s bigger footy than that. We’ve got a game to play, we’ve got a contest to win.

“It’s going to be a big game of footy and that certainly won’t be at the forefront of our mind.”

‘Act like winners’ call a hit with Magpies

If Craig McRae’s demand for his charges to “act like winners” instead of slumping to the ground in defeat raised eyebrows among AFL watchers, it struck a chord with his Collingwood players.

Magpies coach McRae took issue with some of his players “acting like a loser” on the final siren of Saturday’s six-point qualifying final heartbreak final, stressing their season was not yet over.

“We want to act like winners – I must admit, the siren goes and there’s half a dozen of our guys lying on the ground,” he said in his post-match press conference.

“For me, that’s not a winner, that’s acting like a loser. We lost the game, we’re not losers. I just made that point.

“For the lifetime I’m sitting in this chair, maybe barring a grand final, if we don’t win, don’t lie on the ground.”

Veteran Steele Sidebottom backed his coach, saying the situation reminded him of losing a qualifying final in 2018, en route to that year’s grand final. “Although we lost (on Saturday) and clearly boys were tipping in, you’ve got to be able to move on pretty quick,” he told reporters on Monday.

“The way that you carry yourself throughout a game and the way that we’ve carried ourselves throughout the year, and it started from pre-season, is with our body language and everything. “We want to stand tall and be proud and that’s what winners do.

“I support what Craig said and that’s the way that we go about our business around here.”

Teammates John Noble and Darcy Cameron told AAP they were also on the same page as McRae.

(Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Collingwood received good news on Monday when Jordan De Goey’s shoulder injury was confirmed as an AC joint sprain.

The explosive midfielder’s contact work will be managed this week but he is expected to be given the green light to take on Fremantle on Saturday night.

Despite suffering the injury early against Geelong, De Goey was still one of the Magpies’ best players and produced a pair of big goals in the final quarter.

“I’ve seen Jordy in here (at the club) today so he’ll be good to go, I’m sure,” Sidebottom said.

“He’s huge and I think in finals games you look for those guys that have that kind of X-factor.

“You look to those guys as well when things aren’t going right. Those goals in the last quarter, not everyone can do that and he makes it look so easy. I’m sure Jordy will be right and he’ll get himself right to put another display in.”

Sidebottom praised vice-captain Taylor Adams, who was at the club supporting his teammates on Monday, despite suffering a season-ending groin tear against Geelong. Adams won’t return to full training in the 2023 pre-season until January.

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