by LPH » Sun Feb 21, 2016 1:05 pm
No-one is suggesting that these financial problems didn't exist before the advent of the Cows & PAPs Reserves, but...
Part of the 'sales pitch' was the added revenue promised from a range of Hypothetical Revenue Streams, invented by Chapman & Trigg.
Clubs (Glenelg, Eagles, West, Sturt, North) all voted without consultation with their Members (the 'bread & butter' supporters) who turn up every week, pump money through the Bars, Food/Drink Vendors & Merchandise Stands. This has evaporated (as predicted by many) & this has no doubt contributed to an increased loss, across the board.
To simply say to the people (who were metaphorically 'shat on' by their Club's Leaders & Boards) to go buy a Membership & return to the footy, fails to see the reality of the issue & the disillusionment they/we feel. I will never return - my Membership Money goes elsewhere now (Adelaide United & SA Jockey Club). At the very least, these organisations give me a say @ Membership Meetings.
Unlike Kurt & his cronies, they at least respect me enough to listen to my POV & my 'vote' means something to them.
Sadly, the damage is done.
Chiggy, Slaven, etc. acted like 'Vegas Virgins' - they were blinded by the bright lights & the empty promises.
Including AFL Reserves into the competition was NEVER about what was best for the SANFL, it was ALWAYS about what was best for THEM, alone.
Sadly, what so many warned against, the birds are coming home to roost.
Believe me, we who have been shat on, take ZERO pleasure in this.
But they made their beds by not DEBATING the issues completely & rushing into bed & whoring themselves to their AFL overlords.
Oh, & BTW - what of the role that the Commercial Media played in the whole thing?
Rowe, Dillon, Roo, Ditmar, Bickley, etc. ... as always, they allow the fire to be started, then fan the flames to increase the Inferno, then wash their hands of it & say "Oh what a pity".
Stephen Trigg & Rob Chapman are SA Football Patriots