Port Melbourne told to cover up CFMEU signs at home ground ahead of VFLW Grand Final amid corruption watchdog probe
The scandal which has engulfed the CFMEU — amid allegations including bullying and intimidation — has caused an unexpected drama in the lead-up to the VFLW Grand Final.
Victorian Football
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VFL club Port Melbourne will cover up or take down sponsorship signs promoting major sponsor CFMEU ahead of the VFLW Grand Final this weekend at its home ground ETU Stadium.
The Victorian branch of the CFMEU was placed into voluntary administration this week after a spate of damaging allegations about its conduct.
The union was referred to the state’s corruption watchdog following allegations of bullying, intimidation and criminal links.
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan was this week forced to respond to suggestions she had been sent information in 2022 that the state’s CFMEU had threatened violence and illegally banned firms from major construction projects.
With the VFL home and away season only having four weeks left it is unlikely to affect the club’s financial position or capacity to pay players.
But with the union on the nose and its Victorian secretary John Setka quitting, displaying its prominent hoardings across the Port Melbourne stadium is not a great image leading into the VFLW decider.
The VFL has not instructed them to make that change for that clash but those hoardings are expected to be removed.
North Melbourne takes on the Western Bulldogs in that Sunday afternoon clash of the second division of the AFL’s female league.
Port Melbourne hosts Werribee in a men’s VFL clash at the venue on Saturday.
The historic club, founded in 1874, is celebrating its 150th season and has always had strong working class roots as it protected its independent, stand-alone status.
The club has always been heavily associated with the labor movement and wharf labourers, with the naming rights sponsor of the club the Electrical Trades Union.
A recent tradies day that hosted union officials at the venue had a large selection of colourful characters and some fruity language wafting over the fence to players.
But the club has never shied away from its heritage or its proud culture.
Port Melbourne’s VFLW team last year won the premiership to take the club’s combined VFA-VFL-VFLW premierships to a total of 18.
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