Hawks deal details revealed

Matt Smith From: The Mercury December 24, 2010

TASMANIA has to pay more to get AFL powerhouse clubs such as Essendon, Carlton and Collingwood to play at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

Details from the State Government's deal with Hawthorn suggest footy fans should not expect to see marquee teams playing here in the next six years.

Clauses in the contract stipulate the state needs to pay more money for marquee teams.

The contract does not stipulate the extra costs but any costs incurred will be in addition to the $18 million deal signed last month.

AFL Tasmania chief executive Scott Wade said yesterday the clauses highlighted how poorly the Government negotiated with Hawthorn.

He said the AFL was in charge of fixturing and the Government's decision not to bring the league into negotiations with Hawthorn had cost footy fans the opportunity to see big-name teams.

"The State Government won't get the best fixture outcome by dealing with Hawthorn," Mr Wade said.

"They will get the best fixture outcome from dealing with the AFL.

"Any CEO of the Hawthorn Football Club would be encouraging the AFL to schedule the four least attractive games to be played in Tasmania."

He said the North Melbourne proposal on the table at the same time as the Hawthorn deal offered greater opportunities to get marquee teams.

"The Government could have negotiated that every team in the competition plays at least once in the state," Mr Wade said.

Tourism Minister Michelle O'Byrne would not comment on how much it would cost to lure marquee teams.

"If we do have the opportunity to secure some of the big clubs playing in Tasmania, then we want to sit down and talk to the AFL and Hawthorn about what this would look like," Ms O'Byrne said.

"The bigger the profile of the clubs playing in Tasmania impacts games attendance, visitation to the state for the games, and ultimately increases the media awareness of Hawthorn, who are carrying the Tasmanian message in our core national markets."

Victoria University associate professor Bob Stewart, an expert in AFL funding and commercial deals, said all Victorian teams are better off to play in Victoria even if not gaining revenue from the gate.

The ability to gain more local supporters and greater exposure made it illogical for Melbourne teams to play games in Tasmania, he said.

"There would have to be a big incentive for those teams as they do very well out of the Melbourne market," Mr Stewart said. "The AFL uses Tasmania as a market to expand their lesser teams.

"They are looking for markets that the less well performing teams can get into and increase their membership."

He said Tasmanians should expect to see new teams Greater Western Sydney and the Gold Coast Suns playing at Aurora regularly.

Fremantle will most likely play in Tasmania, at least every second year, along with West Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide and Port Adelaide, he said.


http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/hawks-deal-details-revealed/story-e6freck3-1225975988537

Richmond legend Maurice Rioli dies at Christmas barbecue

Jamie Tate From: Herald Sun December 25, 2010

RICHMOND great Maurice Rioli has died in Darwin at the age of 53.
The 1982 Norm Smith medallist was at a family barbecue when he collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack.

Rioli was seen as a man who blazed a path for indigenous footballers, particularly from the Northern Territory, taking his silky skills first to South Fremantle and then to Richmond where he dazzled teammates, foes and fans alike with his skills and commitment to causes he believed in.

Neil Randall, a 1980 South Fremantle premiership teammate, said last night: ``He was the best footballer I've ever played with simple as that.

``They reckon when God came to play, Maurice had to move to the wing.

``He was a genuinely lovely fella and you would hate to get into a boxing ring with him.

``He had the quickest reflexes you will ever see in the game. He went on to win some great achievements and he's a big loss.

``An absolute genius of a bloke and a sad miss for all walks of life.''

When Rioli crossed the Nullarbor in 1982 at the age of 24, he arrived in a hurry.

The skilful midfielder-forward was given the No.17 jumper at Richmond, worn with distinction by ``Captain Blood'' Jack Dyer, and took the team back to premiership contention while exciting the legion of Tiger fans.

Unfortunately the team fell at the final hurdle in his first season, going down by 18 points to Carlton in the Grand Final, though Rioli became the first player to win the Norm Smith Medal despite playing in a losing side.

He went on to play 118 games and kicked 80 goals in the black and yellow.

He also took his silky skills on to the international stage, playing a starring role in the first series against the Irish in 1984.

One honour he rated highly was his selection in the centre for the Indigenous Team of the Century, with his cousin Michael Long beside him on one wing.

Though he came to prominence for his exploits at Richmond and South Fremantle, the softly spoken Rioli is first and foremost seen as a product of the Northern Territory to where he returned when he finished playing.

Seen as a trailblazer for players from the Territory, he came from the famous footballing nursery of St Marys, also the starting point for a string of players who would go on to VFL/AFL careers including Long, Ronnie Burns, Scott Chisholm, Xavier Clarke and Raphael Clarke, Peter Burgoyne, Cyril Rioli and Austin Wonaeamirri.

His first move from Darwin was to Perth where, as an 18-year-old, he signed on for South Fremantle under coach Mal Brown.

At 30, Rioli called time on his VFL career, returning to Perth where he captained South Fremantle, doubling up as captain-coach of Waratahs in Darwin in the summer.

He won All-Australian honours for a third time after the 1988 Bicentennial Carnival. In 1990, he retired from the WAFL, playing on in Darwin until 1991.

In 1993, he presented the Norm Smith Medal at the Grand Final to Long.

After his illustrious footballing career, Rioli went into the Northern Territory parliament, representing Arafura from 1992-2001.

More recently he was a community services manager for the Tiwi Islands where he was again involved in football.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-legend-maurice-rioli-dies-at-christmas-barbecue/story-e6frf9jf-1225976175871

It's because collingwood fans can't operate computers .

Man... what's with all the Lions supporters on this site?

Man... what's with all the Lions supporters on this site?

Frustration for AFL on TV rights

James Chessell From: The Australian December 23, 2010

THE government remains confident a system to divide up key football games between pay- and free-to-air TV can be decided early next year.
That's despite failing to come to an agreement with the AFL on the sports broadcasting rules.

The delay is likely to frustrate AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, who is keen to get broadcast rights negotiations with the television networks under way well before the code's current contract with the Seven and Ten networks runs out at the end of next year.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy yesterday confirmed an interim anti-siphoning list of sporting events protected from pay-television that includes Twenty20 cricket internationals and Socceroos World Cup qualifying matches. Pay-TV company Foxtel will be able to bid directly for some events taken off the list, such as the French Open tennis and the British Open golf.

The changes to the interim list have been flagged and offered no surprises for those who have been following the lobbying over the anti-siphoning laws.

Senator Conroy announced a reform package late last month, and promised that key AFL games, including Friday night, Saturday night and blockbuster matches such as the Anzac Day fixture, would remain on free-to-air TV. He said South Australian and West Australian viewers would be able to watch games involving their home teams on FTA TV.

That commitment was confirmed yesterday. But Senator Conroy surprised many by not announcing a mechanism to decide which AFL and NRL games would be shown on FTA and pay-TV.

Under the changes announced in November, the four AFL and five NRL regular season games now broadcast by Foxtel will be taken off the list.

This change remains subject to a mechanism that protects quality games for FTA. The mechanism has been the subject of debate between the FTA networks and the AFL in recent weeks.

Mr Demetriou has argued that the AFL should be left to allocate games, while the FTA networks believe a regulation must be put in place to guarantee the best games remain with them.

Foxtel is 25 per cent owned by News Limited, publisher of The Australian.

A government source said yesterday that progress had been made on the mechanism and an announcement "will probably be made in January".

The source added: "We're not getting into the business of telling the AFL which games should be shown at all hours of the day."

A resolution would allow the AFL to begin negotiations on its next round of broadcast rights with some certainty.

"We welcome the government's confirmation it will remove from the list sports events that the commercial networks do not broadcast, although important matters still remain unresolved," a Foxtel spokesman said.

"We are most disappointed that removal of some AFL and NRL games remains subject to the sports codes, broadcasters and the government agreeing on the mechanism for the games that will remain on commercial television, when we understand the sports codes have offered very firm undertakings to ensure great games remain on commercial networks, and when this matter has now been under active review for almost 12 months."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/frustration-for-afl-on-tv-rights/story-e6frg6nf-1225975189951

Collingwood, Essendon memberships boom for 2011

Staff writer From: Herald Sun December 23, 2010

COLLINGWOOD is on track to break its AFL membership record with 40,000 fans already signed up for 2011, and Essendon is not far behind.

The Magpies set a new club record of 58,247 members in 2010 and is aiming for 70,000 next year.

The club is 6000 members up in the same time 12 months ago even though the Pies' membership campaign won't kick off until January. The campaign will feature an ad shot earlier this month starring more than 3000 supporters.

Meanwhile, the James Hird factor appears to have kicked in for the Bombers, with memberships racing ahead for the 2011 season.

A club announcement today said 30,018 fans had signed up already for next season, 7000 more than at the same time last year.

It's the first time Essendon has reached 30,000 members before Christmas, putting the Bombers well on track to reach their 2011 target of 50,000.

"It's obviously a very exciting time for our proud club and it's great to see so many Essendon supporters signing up to be a part of it," Hird said.

"The hard work has only just begun and we need all our supporters from around the country to stand as one with the team, coaches, board and staff by signing up as members in 2011 and playing their part in helping to take this club back to where it belongs."


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/bombers-2011-memberships-boom/story-e6frf9jf-1225975333989

Talks on AFL blockblusters in limbo

Katharine Murphy
December 22, 2010 - 12:57PM

WEEKS of industry talks have failed to come up with a concrete mechanism to stop AFL bockbusters drifting to pay television, leaving the Gillard government's sports broadcasting policy in limbo until 2011.

While industry sources insist agreement on a deed or regulation is close, The Age understands talks have been suspended until after the Christmas break.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy will announce later today that the government will leave eight football games — four AFL matches and four NRL matches — destined for pay television, protected on the anti-siphoning list until agreement within the industry is reached.

The anti-siphoning policy, announced by Senator Conroy in late November, will see pay television able for the first time to bid directly for the eight matches rather than having to source them through free-to-air television.

The government has promised the policy shift will not see AFL blockbusters locked up by pay TV but has been unable to provide detail about how the matches will be selected.

Industry talks have continued since the November 25 announcement but the AFL and the broadcasters have been unable to resolve whether the agreement will be set out in a deed or via a regulation.

It was decided last night to suspend discussions until after the Christmas break.

The government has been under pressure from the Greens to come up with a water-tight mechanism to ensure free TV viewers don't lose the best football games and the Greens have threatened to legislate if there aren't sufficient protections in the package.

The anti-siphoning list that reserves premium sporting events for free TV expires at the end of the month.

http://www.theage.com.au/business/talks-on-afl-blockblusters-in-limbo-20101222-1952c.html

She is a bloody smart girl

Carlton, Sydney players next targets in photo scandal, says girl

Anthony Dowsley, Amelia Harris From: Herald Sun December 22, 2010 12:00AM

THE girl at the centre of the AFL photo storm says she will not be silenced and has vowed to post more scandalous pictures on the internet.
Last night she said the next lot of photos to be released would be of Carlton and Sydney players.

This came as she pledged to continue taking revenge on St Kilda, a club she says mistreated her, and as Nick Riewoldt told of his devastation at a nude picture of him with semi-naked teammate Zac Dawson posted on the girl's Facebook page.

The saga also has the potential to rip at the fabric of the Saints after Riewoldt could not hide his displeasure with teammate Sam Gilbert, who he said had not deleted the photos taken in a Miami hotel more than a year ago.

Gilbert last night apologised to Riewoldt and the club for his part in the drama.

Part of the damaging content the 17-year-old girl plans to upload is a video she claims she has taken of AFL players in compromising positions.

She told the Herald Sun she was involved in group sex with AFL players, none of whose pictures have been released.

A Facebook conversation purported to be between the girl and an AFL player discussing a group sex session has been obtained by the Herald Sun.

Riewoldt yesterday denied he knew of the group sex claims.

"I've got no idea about that," he said.

"It's not part of our culture and I'm not aware of any text messages."

Although the teenager did not post any more revealing photos in the wake of a Federal Court order banning her and Facebook from exhibiting images, she says she is determined to keep posting images when things "cool down".

She said she was also dismayed at Riewoldt's version of events that led to the photos being posted.

"It's all incorrect," she said.

"After I heard the press conference I literally punched the wall. He just read a statement from a piece of paper."

She maintains she took the photos at a Melbourne hotel herself and downloaded them from Gilbert's laptop.

"I just want everybody to know the truth," she said.

The girl says she was offered hush money by a football contact: "I was originally offered money ... to like just not speak to any media about it." She said the amount was $20,000.

The girl, who cannot be named, said she didn't want her Twitter site pulled down by transmitting more images.

Player manager Ricky Nixon says lawyers have been engaged in a potential civil case and matters have been referred to police.

Meanwhile, Riewoldt, 28, told a packed press conference yesterday he had never met the girl who posted the images.

"If I'd done something wrong I'd be happy to cop that, but I've done nothing wrong," he said.

"I'm not going to be the victim to this sort of garbage. I'm going to move on and enjoy Christmas with my family."

Riewoldt said Gilbert took the photo on a holiday in Miami more than 12 months ago.

He said he was disappointed the defender and fellow Queenslander didn't delete the photo immediately when
asked to.

"I asked that it be deleted then and there and clearly it wasn't and I'm bitterly disappointed at my teammate for that," he said.

He was made aware the photo still existed several weeks ago and saw it for the first time on Monday.

Riewoldt said he had no association with the teen who published the now infamous photo and no idea what her motives were.

"For the record I have never met the person who posted my photograph. A person who I have no association with caused great distress to me, my girlfriend and family," he said.

Riewoldt and Gilbert have said "not a lot" about the controversial photo.

'I think it's up to him to approach me, to be honest," Riewoldt said.

He would consider his legal options in the next few days.

A separate photo of St Kilda star Nick Dal Santo also appeared on the Facebook page.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/carlton-sydney-players-next-targets-in-photo-scandal-says-girl/story-e6frf9jf-1225974667306

S.Milne?

Oh yes! One of my most hated players :d