Titanic Turf War On Cards As Gold Coast Cry Foul Over Afl

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday July 21, 2006

Glenn Jackson

THE new Gold Coast franchise is facing the biggest test of its short life, standing to lose $1 million in its first year in the NRL competition should the AFL succeed with what the league club deems "deliberate interference".

At the centre of the latest cross-code spat is Carrara Stadium, the venue for the Titans' first season next year. The Titans believe Gold Coast Council has reneged on a promise by refusing to reconfigure the ground in the lead-up to next season, managing director Michael Searle saying quite fittingly: "It's turf wars".

Searle believes the AFL is attempting to "run interference", deliberately sabotaging the fledgling franchise's first season by attempting to scupper its plans for the reconfiguration.

"It can't be understated," Searle warned. "We're a new licence with limited resources, up against the might of the AFL's cash cow.

"I can't understate the impact that can have on us."

The AFL announced last week that the Kangaroos would play three premiership matches on the Gold Coast next season and a total of 10 games up to 2009. They will play all those matches at Carrara Stadium, which will also host the Titans until they move to their $100 million ground at Robina, in time for the 2008 season.

The Titans had hoped to have Carrara reconfigured to a rectangular shape through temporary grandstands. However, the AFL have been lobbying the council to keep the current oval shape.

Searle sent a letter to Gold Coast Council this week attempting to persuade it to reconsider, and told the Herald "the AFL are only here because we're here".

"It's clear the AFL strategy is to run interference, to cause as much grief to us as they can," Searle said. "It's a significant issue of concern with us.

"...I'd hate to think the Gold Coast City Council would favour the AFL over their own team. They'll do so at their peril."

If the ground is not altered to suit the Titans, Searle maintained it would decrease the capacity of the ground by up to 3000, hurting the club's bottom line by more than $1 million next year.

"That's three thousand less fans attending our games - three thousand mums and dads who can't attend our football games next year," Searle said. "The AFL don't have any problems because they won't be filling the place, but we'll be busting at the seams.

"That's 36,000 over 12 home games.

"Look, the AFL are playing a smart game, trying to limit our support by reducing the capacity. Will it threaten our licence? No. But it'll certainly create some disharmony among the fans.

"It will affect some of our programs, community programs and junior development. Obviously we're going to have to reduce our budgets to cater for that. But it's not licence threatening. We have $15 million in the bank. But it is a blip on the radar."

Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke hinted yesterday the council would not be moved on the stadium front - the ground would be oval, however he insisted temporary seating would allay Searle's financial concerns.

"We could add 3000 seats without it being rectangular," Clarke said.

"It's the playing surface we're concerned about. If they can find a way to hang seats from the sky, great."

Clarke said the AFL spent $1 million last year on the Carrara surface and the council was intent on having a rugby league ground as well as an Aussie Rules venue once the stadium at Robina is completed.

"We're spending $20 million on an alternate stadium because we wanted two stadiums," Clarke said.

He also said the council had approached the NRL for assistance to upgrade Carrara Stadium but their overtures were rejected.

"We've asked for help from the NRL but we've only received help from the AFL," he said. "The NRL told us they don't make contributions to grounds."

NRL operations manager Graham Annesley had no recollection of such a request, but said: "The NRL's not in the business of putting funds into stadiums owned by councils."

Annesley, who has twice travelled to the Gold Coast recently to hold with talks with the council over the stadium, said the NRL would continue to support the Titans during their discussions.

"Obviously we want them to have a successful entry into the competition," Annesley declared. "Those additional stands are being negotiated. They would not only have an impact on the comfort and involvement of fans by being closer but will also have a financial impact."

The AFL dismissed Searle's claims of deliberate interference. "The AFL is already playing at the venue," spokesman Patrick Keane said. "We'll continue playing at the venue in its current form."

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

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