The Victorian Lions Supporters Group has condemned today’s released AFL 2020 fixture with the Brisbane Lions scheduled to play four games only in Melbourne, a direct contravention of the 1996 merger agreement, where Fitzroy fans were promised in writing that “The Merged Club will play one half of the total number of home and away games per season at the Gabba and as many Melbourne based away premiership games as possible will be played at Optus Oval or the Melbourne Cricket Ground (but not less than 6).”
Due to circumstances that were not envisaged in 1996, Optus Oval (Princes Park) and Waverley Stadium are now no longer used as an AFL venues. However as this venue has been replaced by the Docklands Stadium (currently named Marvel Stadium), there should be no real reason why the AFL cannot continue to guarantee a minimum six games in Melbourne. While the VLSG does not necessarily support the staging of one of these six games at Geelong, we recognise that Fitzroy did play away games at this venue in the days of the VFL.
However we oppose any mooted transfer of one of these six games to Tasmania as part of any separate North Melbourne or Hawthorn deal with the government of Tasmania to play games in Hobart and/or Launceston.
What is particular galling is that Greater Western Sydney, a club with no historical connection plays seven games in Melbourne in 2020, with away games at the MCG three times, and Marvel Stadium four times.
Victorian Lions Supporters Group 