Reports today stated that Carlton have gotten off to a shaky start with their pre-season training. A 3km fitness run saw their star Brendon Fevola come second last, and Cain Ackland the final Blue to cross the finish line. A news report also stated that number 1 draft pick, Bryce Gibbs, failed to show at training due to missing a flight.
However after checking the official AFL website a few minutes ago, Bryce Gibbs was at the 3.2km run, coming in fifth place, and there was no mention of out-of-shape Fev coming in late.
So is the WA media the one who is telling the fibs? Or is it the AFL in conjunction with the Carlton website who is witholding information?
A little from column A and a little from column B.
We all know how biased regional reporting can be, especially in WA, and we also know how the AFL loves to play-down any problems or troubling issues at a club, especially during pre-season when future ratings are determined.
Moving on to broadcast rights now....the number one issue that won't leave us all season....you'll see!
It seems as if Network 10 defeated 7 in the coin-toss for this seasons GF. When I say the words coin-toss I mean it in the most literal sense. Both networks will air 2 GF's each, which just goes to show that 7 are a lot smarter than 9 were a few years ago when bidding was up for the rights.
However the fact that 10 gets any GF coverage at all is still very nauseating. It looks like there's no avoiding the shameless cross-promotion on the day or poor choice of entertainment. Furthermore we'll still be subjected to the Idol finalists and piss-poor commentary that 10 have effectively dealt to us since 2002.
Now although this coin-toss happened back in December, it's ramifications could pose a threat to the credibility of AFL broadcasting. Imagine not only deciding the GF, but other important events such as who will perform before the game this year: Shannon Noll or Hi-Five? (I'd prefer Hi-Five)
It just seems like a tacky way to make such an important decision. If you ask me, I would have pit network executives against eachother in a winner takes all no holds barred death match inside a steel cage. If televised, the ratings for that alone would clearly out-do the GF. Yet then they'd have to decide on who would televise that meaning even more executives would have to die (fine by me).
Anyway that's all I have to say today, due to some requests I'll try and put a counter up on here soon to count-down the beginning of the NAB cup and the AFL premiership season.
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