Collingwood has no regrets over requesting three games in 12 days after loss to Carlton
COLLINGWOOD chief executive Gary Pert says the club has no regrets over the scheduling request which handed the Magpies three games in 12 days.
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COLLINGWOOD chief executive Gary Pert says the club has no regrets over the scheduling request which handed the Magpies three games in 12 days.
Coach Nathan Buckley said the taxing schedule was a factor in the team’s disappointing loss to Carlton on Saturday, declaring “you’d have to be blind to the reality or ignorant of that if you thought it had no influence” on the result.
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However, Collingwood was chiefly responsible for the shortened six-day break last week after requesting to play Carlton on Saturday, rather than Sunday, to help commemorate the club’s 125th year celebrations.
The club hosted about 1000 fans at a gala function after the loss to Carlton.
Essendon faces a similarly difficult situation this week playing Geelong in Saturday night’s Country Game, meaning the Bombers and Magpies will both play four games in 19 days.
Pert said it was difficult to balance the key events, but stood by the fixture request.
“There is no other practical way to make those things happen, keeping in mind that our supporters love the Anzac Day game and we are never going to compromise that,” Pert said.
“And as part of our history, the 125th (anniversary match) is a key game to celebrate, and that was all taken in to consideration when the fixture is planned.
“Every year we work with the AFL and they’re very good trying to help us with that.”
Collingwood and Essendon both face another difficult schedule next year when they are slated to meet each other in a Wednesday Anzac Day blockbuster.
The Magpies could request to play on a Thursday night the round before, and then take on Anzac Day eve combatants Richmond or Melbourne the week after.
Originally published as Collingwood has no regrets over requesting three games in 12 days after loss to Carlton
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