First ... North Melbourne want a Good Friday clash against Carlton. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited
NORTH Melbourne will dust off a long-term proposal to play Carlton in an annual Good Friday game, with chairman James Brayshaw saying the AFL should respect the fact his club has led the charge for almost two decades.
With the AFL Commission warming to the idea of playing for the first time on the religious holiday, the Kangaroos will soon lodge their intentions with the AFL of playing on April 18 next year.
The push to play for the first time on Good Friday came at Monday’s meeting between the 18 clubs and the AFL, with Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon leading pushing the debate.
The Bulldogs are keen to play St Kilda on Good Friday next year, while the Gold Coast has also signalled its desire take part in to add it to the a fixture.
The AFL and chief executive Andrew Demetriou have long resisted scheduling games on the sacred day, but Brayshaw has noted a slight change in to the philosophy for first time.
“I was really pleased to see there is a bit of movement and potentially some ability to play (on Good Friday),” Brayshaw said.
“There are only so many marquee days on the calendar and, from North Melbourne’s point of view, we would hope the AFL would look favourably on the fact that we have been pushing this for a long time. “And I am sure they will.”
“Innovation is one of North Melbourne’s values and our plan to play on Good Friday well and truly predates this administration.
Chair ... James Brayshaw believes North deserves a Good Friday game. Source: News Limited
“It goes back to the days of ‘Doc’ (Allen) Aylett, ‘Smoky’ (Mark) Dawson and Andrew Carter.
“I am sure that Andrew (Demetriou) and Gil McLachlan would be the first to acknowledge the fact that the AFL has known about our interest for almost 20 years.”
North Melbourne wants to play the BluesCarlton — the two suburbs that border the Royal Children’s Hospital —in a twilight game at Etihad Stadium on Good Friday.
They would have the winning captain and coach go into the RCA Appeal on television after the game to present a cheque of $100,000.
“Three years ago we put in a detailed proposal, on behalf of Carlton and North Melbourne, because we are the two clubs on either side of the Children’s Hospital,” he said.
“I was amazed at the time it was not accepted. To me, it was a no-brainer.
Proposal ... North Melbourne want a Good Friday game. Source: News Limited
“We are giving rugby league a free hit. We are also now a multicultural country and society. So we will dust our proposal and take it back to the AFL.”
Brayshaw spoke to Carlton president Stephen Kernahan and chief executive Greg Swann about the idea on Brownlow Medal night and it won acceptance from the Blues.
“He (Swann) said ‘We are equally as committed to it’,” Brayshaw said. “It is just a great concept and if there is movement at Commission level, we would welcome the opportunity to dust off the proposal and present it again.”
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