Magazine - North Hobart Oval 200%

By Editor in A.F.L on 7th Sep 2009 18:00

The condition of North Hobart Oval yesterday morning was "200% better than it was on Tuesday" when a decision was made to bypass it for Clarence's Bellerive home ground for today's big State League clash with Devonport, AFL general manager Scott Wade has confirmed.

But Mr Wade, who has taken a shot at the Devonport Football Club's "self interest", sparking another war of words, said the decision to swap the date and location of the State League clash was based on advice from curators and weather forecasts.  After The Advocate inspected the oval yesterday, finding it in good condition, Mr Wade said it was "a lot better than Tuesday, probably 200% better than it was on Tuesday, but it doesn't change anything".

"Unfortunately, you didn't see it on Tuesday," Mr Wade said.  "We can only make a decision based on the weather forecast."  It had been predicted 5mm would fall in North Hobart, he said.  "This situation is about AFL Tasmania's right to make a decision that's considered at the time to be in the best interests of the competition. The decision does not seem to be accepted too well by the club who has simply got its best self interest at heart," he said.

Mr Wade said he was disappointed that "dirty laundry" had been "aired in the media".  Devonport Football Club president Steve Daley said the good condition of North Hobart yesterday "does not surprise me", adding he totally rejected the claim Devonport was acting in self interest.  "Devonport Football Club acts in the interests of not only the football club ... but its supporters and the wider football community," Mr Daley said.

"For him (Mr Wade) to say today that the ground is 200% better, in far better shape than what it was on Tuesday when it's alleged the decision was made, I just find totally unacceptable."  Devonport had been preparing to play at neutral North Hobart tomorrow.  The change to a Bellerive senior finals double-header also angered the Burnie Dockers, who will no longer have all three grades playing at the same venue that day.

Source & More: www.theadvocate.com.au

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