AFL threat to move Melbourne v GWS game slammed as ‘blackmail’ by local councillor

The threat by the AFL to move a game from Alice Springs amid a dispute over local footy has been described as “virtue signalling” and “blackmail”.

The threat by the AFL to move a game from Alice Springs amid a dispute over local footy to be played at Traeger Park has been described as “virtue signalling” and “blackmail” by a local councillor.

The league has informed the Alice Springs Town Council it would consider moving the Melbourne versus GWS Giants game from Traeger Park in Round 16 over a council decision to ban Central Australia community teams from playing there on Sundays.

The AFL is concerned the council permits teams from Alice Springs to play on Saturdays at Traeger Park, but does not permit teams from regional communities to play there on Sundays as part of a separate communities competition.

In response Alice Springs Councillor Steve Brown has written an open letter to the AFL.

In the letter Brown wrote “attempts to paint the suspension as an issue of race are deliberately divisive, highlighting AFLs irresponsible and disingenuous response to this issue” as Alice Springs deals with community and alcohol problems.

Traeger Park in Alice Springs. Picture: Getty Images

Brown told News Corp that if the AFL did take the Demons and Giants game away from the town it would “disappoint a lot of people”.

“You have to remember that the town is completely bloody demoralised,” he said.

“We are going through hell, we have been unable to get any useful action.”

Last week the league released a statement confirming it would review the Round 16 clash over the dispute.

Brown wrote in his open letter the AFL was; “Trying to bully, threaten, and now Blackmail!! For more of the same, without any intent to undertake necessary developmental actions that could lead the way out of the disaster, your undeniable neglect, has helped to create (sic)”.

Brown said the AFLNT in particular had not improved facilities in remote areas.

“Improvement to facilities and proper grounds in the bush that they have been promising for years that is on them,” he said.

“It hasn’t happened, we should be building facilities in the bottom end so people don’t need to travel hundreds of kilometres to just play footy.”

In its statement the AFL said it would look at a number of factors.

Melbourne players celebrate after a goal in last year’s Alice Springs clash. Picture: Getty Images

“On the basis that the Alice Springs Town Council’s (ASTC) decision to withdraw support for the Central Australia Football League (CAFL) Community Competition remains in place, the AFL will consider the impact this will have on the community of Central Australia and the game in the region, including seeking to review the viability of staging the Round 16 AFL match between Melbourne and GWS Giants in Alice Springs,” the statement said.

“The AFL will look to review all facets of the game impacted, from grassroots through to the elite, with consideration given to the most suitable location to host what is one of three AFL matches to be played in the Northern Territory in 2023.”

DISPUTE COULD PUSH AFL OUT OF ALICE

Jay Clark

The AFL remains hopeful it will stage a game in Alice Springs in Round 16 amid a dispute over allowing local football to be played at Traeger Park on Sundays.

The league has informed the Alice Springs Town Council it would consider moving the Melbourne versus GWS Giants game from Traeger Park over a council decision to ban community teams from playing there on Sundays in the Central Australia Football League.

The AFL is concerned the council permits teams from Alice Springs to play on Saturdays at Traeger Park, but does not permit teams from regional communities to play there on Sundays as part of a separate communities competition.

But the AFL remains hopeful the council will be satisfied by some CAFL fixture decisions which addresses some of the council’s concerns by spreading out the CAFL games across seven rounds in 12 weeks at multiple venues.

The Demons and the Power at TIO Traeger Park squared off in Alice Springs last year. Picture: Getty Images

If the council supports the changes and permits the CAFL competition to be played at Traeger Park on Sundays, the Melbourne versus GWS game will go ahead.

On Thursday, Melbourne and GWS were certain the game would go ahead, despite the community and alcohol problems which swept Alice Springs earlier this year.

However, the league on Friday released a statement confirming it would review the Round 16 clash over the CAFL Sunday game dispute.

“On the basis that the Alice Springs Town Council’s (ASTC) decision to withdraw support for the Central Australia Football League (CAFL) Community Competition remains in place, the AFL will consider the impact this will have on the community of Central Australia and the game in the region, including seeking to review the viability of staging the Round 16 AFL match between Melbourne and GWS Giants in Alice Springs,” the statement said.

“The AFL will look to review all facets of the game impacted, from grassroots through to the elite, with consideration given to the most suitable location to host what is one of three AFL matches to be played in the Northern Territory in 2023.”