Agreement on round one Oval clash

Andrew Demetriou with Port Adelaide Football Club CEO Keith Thomas. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

SOUTH Australia's two AFL clubs have endorsed the league's promise of a round one Showdown at the re-developed Adelaide Oval next year.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou yesterday rejected an earlier suggestion by Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman that it wait until at least round three for a Showdown, to deal with any issues that may arise with the new 50,000-seat stadium.

"It is absolutely true there will be a Showdown for the first game at Adelaide Oval and, all things being equal, it will be a Friday night," said Demetriou, who met the Crows and Power as part of his nationwide club tour.

Yesterday, Chapman agreed, saying a round one Showdown would be ideal.

''When I was talking about perhaps waiting for round three or four it was purely about ironing out the inevitable bugs we could get with ticketing, transport, food and drink," Chapman said.

"While I have complete confidence in the people responsible, it is a big logistical beast.

Andrew Demetriou checks his watch outside Adelaide Football Club headquarters. Picture: Sarah Reed.

"But the ideal time for a Showdown is round one because that's when we'll be showcasing it (the stadium)."

Chapman said no matter which two sides played the first game at the new Adelaide Oval, he would anticipate a sell-out crowd.

"If that's a Showdown it would be a grand spectacle and I think it is feasible," he said.

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said a Showdown was the only way to mark what would be "a moment of real historical significance".

"You don't get these moments very often and it would be a real shame if both clubs couldn't share in it," Thomas said.

Now it seems the only matter for debate is who gets hosting rights to the match.

Thomas said the issue had been "bandied around" in public but the clubs were yet to have any serious discussions.

Chapman yesterday said while he had previously stated that he didn't care who hosted the first Showdown because there would be another later in the season, his club "definitely wants" the first hosting rights.

Demetriou said he would not weigh in on that decision.

"I'm not going to be here to toss the coin to see who's going to get the home game because I like my life and I'll leave others to do that task," he said.

Before yesterday's club briefings, Demetriou told the media:

CONCERNS the Adelaide Oval's Stadium Management Authority may impede a fair deal for the two AFL clubs was unfounded.

"I'm aware of the talk about it (and) I don't think it's valid," he said.

"We've met with both clubs on the issue and I think that issue has been blown out of proportion.

"There is constant dialogue about getting the best return for the SMA, for cricket, the SANFL and the two clubs and I think Adelaide Oval is going to be a fantastic thing for all stakeholders and the South Australian public."

THE handover of both club licences from the SANFL remained on track.

"It would be fair to say all that is proceeding very well," he said.

"There's goodwill from the SANFL, the Crows and Port Adelaide.

"The AFL is assisting if it's required and all things being equal I don't see any major issues or impediments to that occurring in due course."

THE AFL would have nothing to do with the Crows and Power's current push to field their own reserves teams.

HE was "absolutely thrilled" with Port Adelaide's resurgence which has it second on the ladder after round five.

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