Apologies for the long post but this has been bugging me for some time after reading everyone’s responses to Brayshaw’s suspension, and the justified outrage with the decision and the club’s response, I feel like a vent.
I recently had a chat with Bomber’s fan who made a case for Freo being the club of least concern and interest to the AFL (not to me and you, but the AFL). On reflection I think he has a case. I can’t imagine too many recent occasions when Gil and his boys club have spared more than a cursory look at our club. We are neutral in most respects. By comparison;
Adelaide - financially successful and the big boys on SA
Brisbane - part of the AFLs expansion plan. Vital to Gil that they succeed
Carlton - one of the big four Vic clubs and currently a mess that the AFL are keeping a close eye on
Collingwood- self proclaimed biggest sporting club in the universe. Love him or not, Eddie is a powerful presence in the AFL
Essendon - another of the big four. The AFL desperately want them to recover from the drugs saga and become a powerhouse
Geelong - outspoken coach, highly successful, long term powerbroker with a highly respected (recently retired) CEO
Giants - the AFL has invested too much into this club to allow it to fail
Hawks - vocal president, high profile coach (at the moment), highly successful
Melbourne - the home of the rich and powerful of Melbourne
North M - basket case. Always on the agenda when discussing the future structure of the league
Port Adelaide- probably the closest to Freo in terms of relevance but more successful and with a strong President as a voice. Also a club with a long history of success and the expectations that come with it
Richmond- another of the big four and clearly very influential over the last five years
Saints - similar to Freo but more of a financial concern
Sydney - vital to the AFL’s push in Sydney
Suns - a basket case and major headache for the AFL
WCE - much as we hate to admit it that are a financial powerhouse with high expectations
Western Bulldogs - similar to Freo but struggling for membership numbers despite recent success
Freo - financially ok, solid membership, middle of the table performer, softly spoken coach, silent board and chairman, expectations numbed by years of disappointing seasons, continually seen as a lesser club than WCE, quirky non threatening identity.
No one in the east has given a hoot about Brayshaw or anything else that comes out of Cockburn central. We should have taken a stand this time because no one else is going to represent our concerns. The irony that this is occurring at the same time that GWS is going all the way to back in Toby Green for what appears to be a more obvious offence makes our soft response even more disappointing and further entrenches us as a club of little consequence outside of its loyal supporters. Brayshaw is just an example of a bigger issue - our club’s leadership appears to be comfortable being small targets. Time for the board to decide what they stand and if they are going to move on from small town thinking before we replace purple with beige.
