The whole idea behind the final series was to give the local league a focal point at the end of the season. Having attended the preliminary final between Perth and Stirling Lions it was surprising to read in the match day program that the biggest game of the season will be played at Inglewood’s 6PR stadium, with a kick off time of 1.30pm.
Apparently the State Leagues biggest day has been relegated to be the curtain raiser for the Perth Glory youth team’s National Youth League game. Surely, with all due respect to the youth league, this is the state’s ultimate football event after the Perth Glory?
To be a curtain raiser is unbelievable.
Of course now that the sport that we do not mention is replaying its grand final, as they would rather rip of their fans than give them a result on the day, there is talk that this could affect the crowd at the State Grand Final. After the result in that game yesterday Football West’s CEO Peter Hugg should have been onto his counterpart at Perth Glory, Paul Kelly, who let us not forget is still a Football West Board Member – despite the constitution – and should have been negotiating that the Grand Final be moved, and instead be the curtain raiser for the Perth Glory’s game against Brisbane Roar on Sunday. Now had that been arranged that would have benefitted the game for both the state league and also the Perth Glory.
Playing as a curtain raiser to the youth team devalues the season finale and also fails to benefit the game at all.
With a week to go, hopefully the powers will be will talk and as is their job will negotiate and make decisions that benefit the game.
Spoke to Peter Hugg today and he was very up front about this situation. Sadly the reality of playing at NIB is that it would cost approximately $16k to stage the game there. So understandably that was not an option as it turns out.
Let us be sure to get down to Inglewood tomorrow and make it a great day for Football!
This game shoudl be moved that is all there is to it!
It should be a stand alone as John says and not play second fiddle to anyone.
It should not be linked to the Glory as they do little for the local game. Is that any surprise as Paul Kelly has done nothing for Football West either.
By the way great call on the youth team.
John, it would be great if it was a stand alone event, but it is all about “pathways” and the Glory being the pinnacle is viewed as being important.
Agree 100% I have been saying for years that Football needs to make a stand but instead of people rallying it all goes quiet.
Now Ash,
I know it would piss you off immensly the sport we dont mention having a replay, but here is not for the pro’s and con’s of that.
Why play the game as a curtain raiser to anything, be it Glory or youth or whateve?. Why doesn’t this game stand alone? What does the Glory have to do with the state league? I thought Tony Sage owned the Glory and FootballWest was an independant body.
Is the game a marquee game for the league? I think so. Not the only one granted, but important and worthy of being a stand alone event. Now I am not up to date with how these things work out, but perhaps a “Grand Final Day” where 3 or 4 of the top grades play off with the top league last, perhaps under lights. Supporters of the various clubs could be allocated spaces for tents etc and have a grand final day out, with the culmination being the top league final. Think organised catering$$$$$. Bugger what other sports are doing. Make your stand and make the event for the local football community and they will turn up