AFL escalates turf war with NRL
Roy Masters, Sydney | June 4, 2008
AN AFL approach to stage an Australia-Ireland international rules match at the Sydney Cricket Ground in competition with the opening ceremony of rugby league's centenary World Cup has escalated the scheduling conflict between the two codes and threatens to erupt into an all-out turf war.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou pressured the SCG Trust to host the hybrid rules match one or two days before the October 26 World Cup opening ceremony and an Australia-New Zealand match at the adjacent Sydney Football Stadium.
Confirming the approach, SCG Trust general manager Jamie Barclay said: "Demetriou wanted to play the international rules match at the SCG on either the Friday or the Saturday before the Sunday World Cup opening ceremony and opening match, but we already had signed a contract with the Rugby League International Federation to stage their events.
"On that basis, we were unable to do it."
The AFL then approached ANZ Stadium at Homebush Bay but support from NSW Major Events evaporated and the match was relocated to Subiaco Oval. While the NSW Government is a financial backer of the World Cup, the alternative plan to play at Homebush Bay was also scuttled because of the potential embarrassment of a poor crowd in Sydney's west.
Australian Rugby League chairman Colin Love, who is the World Cup tournament director, said: "I would have been extremely disappointed if the Trust had not rejected the application and I would be extremely disappointed if it was the aim of the AFL to rain on our parade."
The AFL denies the scheduling was designed to frustrate rugby league. "We see ourselves as a different event," a spokesman said. "We were keen to play in Sydney because the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) say there is a strong call to play there.
"We made the inquiry to play at the SCG and were told it was not available. ANZ was very keen to host the event but we could not get funding support from NSW Major Events."
Rugby league and the AFL go head-to-head on the Gold Coast on June 28 when the Titans play the Dragons at 5.30pm at Skilled Park and North Melbourne hosts St Kilda at Carrara at 7.10pm.
National Rugby League chief operating officer Graham Annesley claims an approach was made from Fox Sports, which telecasts both codes, to change the Titans match to the following day to accommodate the AFL.
Annesley said: "Demetriou says no approach was made from the AFL to Fox Sports but I've got no doubt a call was made. That call to Fox Sports certainly led to a call to us from Fox Sports asking us to change the time of the match. But the Titans prefer Saturday night, rather than Sunday matches, and we refused to change."
Titans managing director Michael Searle accused the AFL of "running interference", saying: "Our draw was out first. The AFL scheduled two of North Melbourne's three matches up here when we are playing at home. If they were so desperate to avoid us, they could have scheduled to play the June 28 match when we were away.
"Asking us to change is akin to (Melbourne Storm chief executive) Brian Waldron asking Collingwood to change their kick-off time at the MCG. They overestimate their power in this market."
Coinciding with the scheduling battle is a mooted plan for the AFL to buy ANZ Stadium for its second Sydney team, also allowing it to be landlord to five NRL clubs. It is suggested this is a smokescreen for the AFL's main intention of using the adjacent Sydney Showground as a training and administrative centre for the team
