Roll Up Or Else, Dees: Afl
The Age
Saturday June 7, 2008
MELBOURNE could lose its blockbuster Queen's Birthday match against Collingwood if Demons supporters do not turn out in numbers to watch their team on Monday, says league chief executive Andrew Demetriou.
The Demons, who have the lowest membership of any Victorian club and are on the bottom of the ladder, have produced disappointing crowds this year as their inexperienced line-up has crashed to a series of heavy losses. "This is a very important game for Melbourne, it has traditionally attracted a big crowd and it has become an event," Demetriou said. "I urge all supporters to get to the game on Monday because a poor crowd puts that game in jeopardy. Other clubs would love to play that weekend."Demetriou said the Demons should not regard the annual clash as an automatic entitlement. "It's not enshrined. It's something we've respected for a number of years and in fairness to Collingwood they have been good about allowing Melbourne to have it as a home game," he said. "But now Melbourne's supporters just need to get behind them and show up."Demetriou said a crowd of between 60,000 and 65,000 was needed to ensure the match was maintained. The Demons said this week they were hoping to draw 70,000 to the game. "You've got to support your club through thick and thin," Demetriou said. "They are going through a bad patch and they need their supporters."Demons chief executive Paul McNamee issued a terse response to the prospect of losing the game."I believe Melbourne makes a compelling case for the continuance of the Queen's Birthday blockbuster, as I'd assume Collingwood does for its Anzac Day fixture," he said. "Having said that, on our 150th anniversary, we'd like to see a crowd of over 60,000, given good weather."The club will lose a substantial sum this year and relies on AFL help as it tries to plot its way out of trouble. But Demetriou shrugged off concerns that stripping the Demons of their most profitable match for the year would cause further damage."They shouldn't be relying on one game," he said. "There are other clubs that have got needs and if those clubs could attract a crowd of 70-80,000 on Queen's Birthday Monday, then it would be enormously helpful for them."Demetriou took the chance to praise Jim Stynes, who several Melbourne sources said yesterday would be installed as club president, perhaps as early as Monday. The league boss said it would not be appropriate to give an opinion on who should lead the club but described Stynes as "an extraordinary man"."Not just for what he achieved on the football field being from Ireland," Demetriou said. "He has an incredible social conscience, what he's achieved with Reach is phenomenal . . . I don't know his capabilities as a business person but I know his passion and what he has achieved with Reach."
© 2008 The Age
