By Jon Pierik and Peter Ryan
In today’s AFL Briefing
- Bombers say a change to their constitution that notes the social harm from poker machine would affect their financial independence from the AFL.
- High-profile AFLW forward Tayla Harris is a trade target for two clubs.
- The Demons are open to trading Lily Mithen, a player linked to Gold Coast.
‘Competitive disadvantage’: Bombers caution members on pokies
Jon Pierik
Essendon say a change to their constitution that acknowledges the social harm their poker machine licences cause would put the club at a competitive disadvantage and affect their financial independence from the AFL.
The Bombers released a statement urging members to reject a proposed amendment as part of a vote for two places on the board, which opened on Tuesday ahead of the club’s AGM on December 18.
No go: Essendon president David Barham and the board have rejected a call to change the club’s constitution to acknowledge the harm its poker machine licences have caused.Credit: Paul Jeffers
The amendment was proposed by a grassroots group called No Pokies at Essendon (NoPE), led by Mike Read. The group gathered the 100 member signatures required to force the Bombers to put the resolution to a vote.
Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission data shows that gamblers lost more than $14 million this year at Essendon’s two gambling venues, and more than $235 million since 2006.
Essendon’s statement said the proposal would put the club at a competitive disadvantage “as we rely on revenue from our hospitality venues to support and invest in our AFL and AFLW programs, Windy Hill, and community programs”.
The grassroots No Pokies at Essendon group is hoping for a change in the Bombers’ constitution.
Among other reasons to reject the amendment, the Bombers said any unplanned exit would affect the club’s ability to be “less financially dependent on AFL funding, and thereby, more independent in its operations”.
But Read rejected the Bombers’ claims. “This argument is irrelevant to the proposed resolution, which has no bearing on Essendon’s ability to continue operating their gaming venues,” he said.
“The change we’re proposing doesn’t influence the club financially but, as a member-run organisation, a strong message with the vote would help ensure that an exit from pokies doesn’t get put in the too-hard basket.”
Essendon’s gaming venues at Windy Hill, which has 101 machines.Credit: Chris Hopkins
This masthead reported in October that the Bombers received about $800,000 in additional funding from the AFL this year, in addition to the $12 million of base funding.
NoPE needs 75 per cent of members who vote to support the resolution for it to pass.
While Read has acknowledged the impact the loss of pokies would have on the club, he wants the resolution passed and written into the constitution to encourage the Bombers “to get out of pokies” and have alternative revenue streams.
The club, in its letter to members, pledged its “commitment to exploring alternative revenue streams that will allow us choice to exit gaming in a thoughtful and strategic way”.
“While the board recognises the social issues associated with any form of gambling and acknowledges that discussions are ongoing regarding the long-term implications of holding a gaming licence, the board believes that the proposed amendment to the club’s constitution is not in the best interests of the club.
“The board believes that the proposal would put the club at a competitive disadvantage, as we rely on revenue from our hospitality venues to support and invest in our AFL and AFLW programs, Windy Hill, and community programs.
“To illustrate this point, the club invests upwards of $1 million annually to maintain and curate the Windy Hill facility to be used as a community asset for the AFLW, VFL, VFLW, EDFL and Essendon Cricket Club seasons, as well as use by the Essendon Bowls Club. The club’s hospitality venues directly fund this investment.
“Furthermore, over the past 10 years, local sporting clubs in the Essendon and Melton regions have received in excess of $2 million in funding grants from the Essendon Football Club.
“These grants are directly linked to our hospitality venues. In 2024 alone, 23 organisations received funding from the club to support grassroots and community activities. The removal of our gaming licence would result in the source of that funding disappearing.”
Read questioned the club’s statement that it was exploring new revenue streams.
“This point seeks to muddy the waters,” he said. “Without a commitment to new revenue streams being used to replace gaming revenue, alternative revenue streams are just additional revenue streams.
“While the club here tries to create the impression that they are exploring an exit, other arguments they present paint themselves as being dependent on their gaming venues.”
A Bombers spokesman said the club did not wish to comment further.
Decision time looms for Tayla Harris as Pies and Hawks wait on call
Peter Ryan
Collingwood and Hawthorn are locked in a battle to secure star AFLW forward Tayla Harris as the high-profile Demon aims to make her decision by the time the trade period opens on Thursday.
A move would see Harris playing for her fourth club after stints with the Lions, Carlton and Melbourne, with the Hawks keen to secure a key forward after making a shock straight-sets finals exit.
Melbourne’s Tayla Harris leaves the field after injuring her shoulder against Geelong in round one.Credit: Getty Images
Collingwood are hoping to make a splash after their disappointing season when they finished on the bottom of the ladder. Harris, who has played 70 games and been an All-Australian four times, is capable of boosting their program.
Harris played just one game in 2024 after suffering an injury against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in round one and is open to a move – according to three competition sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity – with the Demons keen to replenish their list with high draft picks. Harris played in the Demons’ premiership in season seven in 2022.
The Demons are open to trading Lily Mithen, who has been linked to the Gold Coast. The premiership midfielder has been with Melbourne since the start of AFLW competition.
The Suns are prepared to trade out their high picks as they are likely to secure academy graduates. Under AFLW rules clubs need to have a pick within 18 selections of when the bid comes meaning they need to retain some reasonable draft picks to get their academy graduates.
Gold Coast have embarked on a new direction after parting with AFLW coach Cameron Joyce following their poor 2024, despite midway through the year extending Joyce’s contract until 2026.
Lily Mithen has been a Demons’ mainstay, but she may seek an opportunity with Gold CoastCredit: AFL Photos
Their out-of-contract captain Tara Bohanna asked for a trade on Monday and Carlton are considered frontrunners, with at least one club who met with Bohanna told they are out of the race.
The Hawks will once again be active players in the trade period after Adelaide premiership defender Najwa Allen officially asked to be traded to Waverley Park on Tuesday. Allen played 45 games with the Crows – which included a premiership win – but only one match this season due to hamstring issues.
Hawthorn are expected to lose inside midfielder Charlotte Baskaran, who has requested a trade to St Kilda.
Geelong’s Darcy Moloney is on her way to Sydney if a deal can be struck between the Swans and the Cats, with the respective parties are negotiating a potential deal.
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