I'm no rocket scientist but I reckon it's full steam ahead for Carrara now.
I can't see Canberra topping their northern neighbours offer (based on reports that the Canberra bid was at the high end of the budget)
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Roos consider Gold Coast proposal
May 16, 2006
THE KANGAROOS' short-term future has moved one step closer to being resolved with a proposal for a three-year joint venture with the Southport Football Club, which would see the Roos play a total of nine home-and-away games at Carrara along with three pre-season cup games.
While the Southport offer has not yet involved any financial details, the proposal — confirmed last night by Kangaroos chief executive Geoff Walsh — has prompted the financially struggling club to turn to the ACT Government and request an almost immediate response.
"We've asked the ACT for a final offer quickly," confirmed Walsh. "We're now in the middle of May and we would like to resolve this soon. The Southport proposal needs more detail but we'd be happy with three games in the short term.
"We'd be crazy to jump into a bigger venture than that. We'd see how it goes over the next three years before even considering a five-game package or anything like that."
The Kangaroos found themselves in the unpleasant situation yesterday of being forced to pay Telstra Dome for its Mothers' Day defeat, because despite moving the game back to 3.10pm, it attracted a disappointing crowd of just over 16,000.
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Meanwhile, the Brisbane Lions, whose response to the prospect of a permanently relocated second team up north has been lukewarm, have revealed they are on track to record a financial loss in 2006 after last season's $1.25 million profit.
The projected negative turnaround of more than $1 million has come as the club turns in poor performances and records a drop in attendances, television ratings and corporate function sales.
Should the Lions remain in the bottom four of the ladder, the club is on track to drop $100,000 in its budget.
"We're suffering some pretty tough conditions up here," Lions chief executive Michael Bowers said. "We are starting to learn a lot more about the marketplace here and the depth of our supporters. I guess we're learning to sort out the theatre-goers from the rest as well."
Not only have coach Leigh Matthews, star forward Jonathan Brown and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett all expressed misgivings about the Gold Coast market in recent times, Lions chairman Tony Kelly has also continued to remind the AFL that the league and the Lions have an agreement with the Queensland Government that any team relocated to the south-east of the state would play its home games at the Gabba.
The Queensland Government, which funded the Gabba redevelopment to the tune of $40 million, has that deal in place until 2015.
While the Kangaroos continue to struggle with the choice between the Gold Coast and Canberra for their three relocated home games next season, the AFL has yet to come forward with a genuine financial carrot to lure the club north.
However, AFL broadcasting, strategy and major projects manager Ben Buckley last night insisted suggestions that the league had been disappointed by the crowd at the Carrara clash between Hawthorn and the Lions were false.
"Whether the crowd had been 10,000 or 12,000 it's not going to dampen our enthusiasm," said Buckley. "The ground at present has only 6000 seats and we could have sold them out twice over. That's something we are going to have to think about in the short term and the long term — adding more seating to the ground."
On the Kangaroos dilemma, Buckley added: "Those discussions are getting more advanced and at some point we will be looking at making a contribution."
There is a strong feeling among football insiders in Queensland that the AFL should fund any push into Carrara.
Certainly that view is held by Southport, which was disappointed in its return from Saturday night's game.
I can't see Canberra topping their northern neighbours offer (based on reports that the Canberra bid was at the high end of the budget)
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Roos consider Gold Coast proposal
May 16, 2006
THE KANGAROOS' short-term future has moved one step closer to being resolved with a proposal for a three-year joint venture with the Southport Football Club, which would see the Roos play a total of nine home-and-away games at Carrara along with three pre-season cup games.
While the Southport offer has not yet involved any financial details, the proposal — confirmed last night by Kangaroos chief executive Geoff Walsh — has prompted the financially struggling club to turn to the ACT Government and request an almost immediate response.
"We've asked the ACT for a final offer quickly," confirmed Walsh. "We're now in the middle of May and we would like to resolve this soon. The Southport proposal needs more detail but we'd be happy with three games in the short term.
"We'd be crazy to jump into a bigger venture than that. We'd see how it goes over the next three years before even considering a five-game package or anything like that."
The Kangaroos found themselves in the unpleasant situation yesterday of being forced to pay Telstra Dome for its Mothers' Day defeat, because despite moving the game back to 3.10pm, it attracted a disappointing crowd of just over 16,000.
advertisement
advertisement
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Lions, whose response to the prospect of a permanently relocated second team up north has been lukewarm, have revealed they are on track to record a financial loss in 2006 after last season's $1.25 million profit.
The projected negative turnaround of more than $1 million has come as the club turns in poor performances and records a drop in attendances, television ratings and corporate function sales.
Should the Lions remain in the bottom four of the ladder, the club is on track to drop $100,000 in its budget.
"We're suffering some pretty tough conditions up here," Lions chief executive Michael Bowers said. "We are starting to learn a lot more about the marketplace here and the depth of our supporters. I guess we're learning to sort out the theatre-goers from the rest as well."
Not only have coach Leigh Matthews, star forward Jonathan Brown and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett all expressed misgivings about the Gold Coast market in recent times, Lions chairman Tony Kelly has also continued to remind the AFL that the league and the Lions have an agreement with the Queensland Government that any team relocated to the south-east of the state would play its home games at the Gabba.
The Queensland Government, which funded the Gabba redevelopment to the tune of $40 million, has that deal in place until 2015.
While the Kangaroos continue to struggle with the choice between the Gold Coast and Canberra for their three relocated home games next season, the AFL has yet to come forward with a genuine financial carrot to lure the club north.
However, AFL broadcasting, strategy and major projects manager Ben Buckley last night insisted suggestions that the league had been disappointed by the crowd at the Carrara clash between Hawthorn and the Lions were false.
"Whether the crowd had been 10,000 or 12,000 it's not going to dampen our enthusiasm," said Buckley. "The ground at present has only 6000 seats and we could have sold them out twice over. That's something we are going to have to think about in the short term and the long term — adding more seating to the ground."
On the Kangaroos dilemma, Buckley added: "Those discussions are getting more advanced and at some point we will be looking at making a contribution."
There is a strong feeling among football insiders in Queensland that the AFL should fund any push into Carrara.
Certainly that view is held by Southport, which was disappointed in its return from Saturday night's game.
