PAUL MURRAY - Is it time for AFL reality check?

[travelling_gerry]

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that something will have to give with Perth’s logjam of development projects.

The new Barnett Government is about to confront the problems that a deteriorating economic outlook, the regional royalties deal and construction bottlenecks are likely to cause Perth’s big ticket plans.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi is worried that the Nationals’ $675 million a year cash grab for the bush threatens long-stalled projects like the Northbridge Link, the new museum and the Perth foreshore redevelopment.

Perhaps Ms Scaffidi should concentrate on the plans to replace Subiaco Oval if she’s looking for something to throw overboard to save her pet developments.
Spending $1.1 billion on a new football oval doesn’t make any sense in this emerging scenario. There is little doubt that the other projects have much wider community appeal and benefit than replacing Subiaco Oval.

And maybe this is the perfect time for politicians to start taking a realistic view of the demands of the Australian Football League.

Frankly, a business that thinks it can expand at will while paying its 20-year-old workers $500,000 for half a year’s work and then passing off responsibility for providing their workplace is bound to fail.

And that’s just what the AFL is: a failed business model that requires government support to continue its over-bloated functions.

What other business asks governments to build their factory so they can make widgets for sale?

The old arguments that the AFL deserves handouts because it supports lower levels of football is laughable. Have a look at the WAFL and junior football in WA. The AFL starves them.

The AFL needs a reality check and the Subiaco Oval plan provides a suitable vehicle.

Rest of the blog from the West and your chance to comment.....

[blueandblack]

Good heavens. This does very much surprise me, in this "The West Coke Eagles are the only sporting team in this state" state.

Onya Paul.