Demtriou's Last Stand

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  • Matimbo
    Warming the Bench
    • Apr 2009
    • 334

    #46
    My thoughts FWIW ...

    During AD's tenure ...

    Pros: AFL revenue up dramatically incl. huge increase in TV deal, AFL crowds up, expansion into new markets (although not yet reaping financial rewards). Any major corporation that achieved this during a period that included a major economic downturn (the GFC era) would be judged well by financial analysts. So if we view the AFL from a corporate perspective, I would give AD a very good scorecard.

    Cons: Handling of key issues was poor. e.g. Melbourne tanking, Kurt Tippett/Crows contract, Bombers/ASADA. In each of these cases, the way he reacted and his public comments gave many (incl. myself) the strong perception that he was too closely involved on a personal level with the club personalities under suspicion that he couldn't be trusted to deliver an impartial position/judgement on behalf of the AFL. By the time each of these issues was formally responded to by the AFL with punishments, a lot of damage had been done to the AFL's credibility that should have been avoided.

    The AD "ugly Swans" comment in 2005 is not worth including in a retrospective judgement in my opinion. Just one of those throw away lines he should not have said in his position but not significant in the context of the big issues I mention above.
    CIA Agent to Policeman: "Have you ever had anti-terrorist training?"
    Policeman: "Yes, I was married once."

    Comment

    • DamY
      Senior Player
      • Sep 2011
      • 1479

      #47
      He was one of few to tip us to win v Hawthorn in 2012.

      #jussayin

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      • Ruck'n'Roll
        Ego alta, ergo ictus
        • Nov 2003
        • 3990

        #48
        Originally posted by Matimbo
        My thoughts FWIW ...

        During AD's tenure ...

        Pros: AFL revenue up dramatically incl. huge increase in TV deal, AFL crowds up, expansion into new markets (although not yet reaping financial rewards). Any major corporation that achieved this during a period that included a major economic downturn (the GFC era) would be judged well by financial analysts. So if we view the AFL from a corporate perspective, I would give AD a very good scorecard.
        I'm not so sure about your analysis of the Pro's: The TV deals for example, in raw $$$$'s it has grown enormously. However in comparison with the NRL's deal the picture is far less rosy. In Jackson's day the AFL deal was hugely larger than the NRL deal, in the recent round, the NRL deal is coming closer to parity.

        Comment

        • Matimbo
          Warming the Bench
          • Apr 2009
          • 334

          #49
          Originally posted by Ruck'n'Roll
          I'm not so sure about your analysis of the Pro's: The TV deals for example, in raw $$$$'s it has grown enormously. However in comparison with the NRL's deal the picture is far less rosy. In Jackson's day the AFL deal was hugely larger than the NRL deal, in the recent round, the NRL deal is coming closer to parity.
          Yes, good point although I think you have to factor in the big decline rugby league had during and after the Super League era where traditional clubs were booted/went broke (Souths and Norths), others forced to merge (Wests with Balmain) and a whole bunch of new teams were introduced with no hope of survival. This period aligned almost exactly with Jackson's tenure (96 - 2003). I remember it well because it was the time I was very disenchanted with the rugby league comp I grew up with and at the same time along came the Swans march into a GF. That's when I got into AFL and stopped watching NRL on the TV. Now I watch both. So I think the NRL in more recent years has bounced back but I'm guessing only to where they would/should have been if the Super League war didn't happen.
          CIA Agent to Policeman: "Have you ever had anti-terrorist training?"
          Policeman: "Yes, I was married once."

          Comment

          • CureTheSane
            Carpe Noctem
            • Jan 2003
            • 5032

            #50
            Originally posted by Matimbo
            the way he reacted and his public comments gave many (incl. myself) the strong perception that he was too closely involved on a personal level with the club personalities under suspicion that he couldn't be trusted to deliver an impartial position/judgement on behalf of the AFL.
            That sums it up well for me.
            The difference between insanity and genius is measured only in success.

            Comment

            • Matt80
              Suspended by the MRP
              • Sep 2013
              • 1802

              #51
              Andrew D has been superb. A local derby in the NRL between South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters sometimes struggle to get 25 ,000. A regular season game between Collongwood and Carlton always scores over 70,000. What the AFL has done during Andrew D tenure as both COO and then CEO is develop World Class stadia which increasing spectator comfort! Docklands, MCG, SCG and the Gabba are world class facilities. AFL in Adelaide is being transferred to the Adelaide oval another World Class stadium. AFL is Perth has a plan to move to a better stadium.
              The AFL will even put ANZ on notice to come up with a better playing surface.

              You compare these stadiums to Brookvale oval (Manly's Home Ground) which is slightly better than a Punt Road and you see the difference.

              The NRL get good T.V numbers, but the fans don't want to get out of their living rooms. The AFL have both good T.V numbers and fans who want to go to stadiums and watch their teams.

              If the AFL had not continued to develop their stadiums and facilities, then you would not have had the attendance numbers you now have!

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