Code To See World, Not Just Deserts
The Sunday Age
Sunday February 10, 2008
AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL yesterday made its Middle Eastern debut in a small green oasis amid the desert outside Dubai and almost immediately set its sights on greener pastures further afield.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the competition planned to explore regular pre-season games in Japan, South Africa and the US on the back of yesterday's NAB Cup season-opener between Collingwood and Adelaide.Unofficial fears during the week that the crowd might not exceed half its capacity at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club were alleviated as local clubs Dubai Heat and Dubai Dingoes contested a curtain-raiser inside the makeshift stands on an MCG-style surface.The AFL's corporate thrust into the United Arab Emirates was heavily sponsored and came at a loss to the competition of only $100,000, a cost covered by Victorian Premier John Brumby, who flew into Dubai yesterday and immediately announced a $150,000 Government injection into the league's international fund.The game was staged alongside the club's palm trees and polo ponies in a sunny picnic family atmosphere and accompanied by a loudspeaker blaring Cold Chisel and AC/DC. Demetriou joked that he had hoped the ex-patriate support in Dubai and Abu Dhabi would lift the attendance to 5000 but that ticket sales on the eve of the game could reach a sell-out. The temporary seating numbered 6000."I wouldn't have imagined a day like this possible five years ago," said Demetriou. "It's been an unbelievable experience. We've played games overseas before and I believe all sorts of things are logistically possible for us."South Africa certainly in a priority and so is Japan with our Toyota partnership and Los Angeles has appeal as part of our Australia Day celebrations over there. And we certainly plan to continue to rebuild our relationship with Ireland." Adelaide chairman Bill Sanders said he had witnessed not only enthusiasm and expectation on the morning of yesterday's pre-season opener but also disappointment from those players who missed out. He singled out Kris Massie and young ruckman Jonathon Griffin, who both flew to Dubai in the belief they would play.Sanders said his club would assess its Middle Eastern sojourn upon returning home. The Crows bought their entire squad minus rookies to Dubai at a cost to the club of $180,000."We'll do a complete debrief with the footy department," said Sanders at the club. "I would be confident of saying our club is supportive of international development of the game. In the past we've been to New Zealand, we've played in South Africa and we know the need to develop overseas."We're also mindful that Australia doesn't get neglected in all of this. New South Wales and Queensland are major priorities and when you are away at a place like this you have to be careful to remember that."Collingwood came to Dubai two days after the Crows bearing mild signs of travel fatigue and a stomach bug which had affected one-third of the team.However, president Eddie McGuire said of the sunny if breezy conditions as he arrived at the ground: "When Collingwood comes to play the sun always shines."
© 2008 The Sunday Age