ozzieeagle

Just released in the Sun.

It had to happen sooner or later....


FOOTBALL and soccer are in pitched battle over who can use Telstra Dome on Saturday week. The AFL says it has the rights to the venue on February 28, and wants Collingwood to play Richmond, with Ben Cousins expected to make his Tigers debut, in a NAB Cup fixture.

But Football Federation Australia says it has set aside the stadium that night for the A-League grand final between Melbourne Victory and the winner of the Queensland Roar-Adelaide United preliminary final.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou told the Herald Sun his organisation had locked in the venue on that date when it released its NAB Cup fixture in October.

"At this stage we have a dilemma as it (the Collingwood-Richmond game) is due to fall on a Saturday night, which the Victory might be playing as well," Demetriou said.

"It could be Ben Cousins' first game, so there could be a dilemma there for all concerned. It is scheduled for Saturday night, Telstra Dome.

"It is in our fixture, and we put that NAB Cup draw out in October. So we will see what happens."

FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said he had received an assurance from Telstra Dome management that the A-League grand final would be played there on February 28.

"We have been advised from Telstra Dome that we can, and are able to play the match on that night," Buckley told the Herald Sun last night.

Asked if the AFL's stance was a sign of it going head-to-head against soccer, Demetriou said: "You're using those words.

"The MCG is not available. It's not about staking a claim, but we have got a booking priority (at Telstra Dome), under our agreement."

Told that FFA had announced Telstra Dome as the venue for the A-League grand final on that night, Demetriou said: "They are playing at a venue we normally play football at."

The MCG can not stage the NAB Cup match because drop-in wickets required for cricket would still be in place.

Telstra Dome chief executive Ian Collins could not be contacted, but the venue's communications manager Bill Lane said talks with the AFL were continuing.

"As far as we are concerned, we are still in communications with the AFL," Lane said.

"We would have thought staging the (NAB Cup) game on a Thursday night, or a Monday, would have been a reasonable outcome, and we think the matter can be resolved amicably."

Asked the stadium's preferred outcome on the standoff, Lane said: "We are aware the Football Federation has announced the game, the A-League grand final, will be played here on the Saturday, and we are happy with that announcement."

Telstra Dome management was convinced the AFL would move the Collingwood-Richmond match, but it is believed the AFL was asked by Channel 10 to keep it in its original timeslot.

Melbourne Victory's use of Telstra Dome has become part of legal action taken by the AFL against management of the Docklands venue.

Also crucial to that action was a decision by the venue management to name airline Etihad as the ground's new naming rights sponsor, because the AFL has Qantas as a major sponsor.

MartinLuther

Maybe one of them can go standby

ozzieeagle

.

ozzieeagle

Sorted.... In Footballs favour.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...17/2493720.htm

Now whats the AFL going to do when they Realise that MV have booked the MCG in for the last Saturday in September 2010 for a friendly against Beckhams LA Galaxy.

Notts_bloke

Beckham will then be at Milan, so who will want to watch the LA Galaxy?

ozzieeagle

Twas just a joke, bit hard to get across on the net.

No LA Galaxy at all, It's just the AFL grand final is supposedly set in concrete.

MartinLuther

Too subtle - I missed it as well. Last Saturday in September and 1st Tuesday in November. Key dates for all Victorians.

bigAPE

This is just a scheduling clash by the Telstra Dome. It's got nothing to do with which is more popular or which is better, it might just as well be the Tiddlywinks World Championships and The Kaber Tossing Cup Final.

fraser

I agree, in no way does it represent the true facts that football is better than gay egg chasing, no need just watch the sports

Geelong Gent

The question should be how long would the MCG managing committee live when the members find out.

bigAPE

Grrrrrr....

NKSK version 2

"Telstra Dome chief executive Ian Collins could not be contacted,"

No surprises there.

So who cocked it up?

MartinLuther

It's because of all the airline sponsorship. They overbook and then bump people if they all turn up. I assume the AFL got some dosh and a seat upgrade on the next available date.



Obviously the soccer game got it because it's the gayest game in the world and nobody wants to upset them as they'll start crying.

Sherro

Sorry been out of the country for a few months, what has Ben Cousins playing got to do with it?

he is the Joey Barton of AFL isnt he, the troubled boy (joey Barton an English footballer) and whilst their poisons are quite different they both are not that popular with the fans.

Who cares about cousins does anyone give a toss? id be surprised...

ozzieeagle

Channel 10 to be precise, their pressure didnt work.