Colin Carter has generated fierce debate and controversy along with his proposal to alter the VFL/AFL’s begin date from 1897 to 1870.
What’s past doubt is his capability to attract a crowd.
AFL chief government Gillon McLachlan referred to as it a “heavy room” on Tuesday as Carter launched his ebook, Football Forgotten Years.
The viewers featured historian Geoffrey Blainey, former Carlton president Ian Collins, ex-Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett, present St Kilda president Andrew Bassatt and a bunch of present AFL prime brass together with chairman Richard Goyder and his predecessor Mike Fitzpatrick.
The ebook continues a ardour venture of the previous AFL commissioner and Geelong president, who argues the beginning date of the then-VFL ought to be moved to incorporate the Victorian Football Association years again to 1870.
In late 1896, eight golf equipment broke away to type the VFL.
The apparent consequence of Carter’s argument can be to seriously change what issues most to all soccer followers – who’s received the premierships.
As it stands Carlton and Essendon have 16 and Collingwood is one behind.
If Carter has his approach and the VFA flags are counted, Carlton would transfer to 22 and Essendon enhance to twenty.
Geelong would choose up a whopping seven additional flags and transfer to 17, whereas Collingwood would solely acquire yet one more and share 16 with Melbourne.
“I am not here today to confirm Colin’s thesis … but nor am I here to dispute his conclusions,” McLachlan mentioned on the launch.
“That’s for our historians, our clubs to examine closely and no doubt expand the debate.”
Carter is adamant that the one purpose the AFL historical past begins at 1897 is the bitter politics between the then-VFL and the VFA, which got here to a head within the Twenties.
“This will be an issue for the commission to resolve and all I hope for is that the AFL, as the keeper of the code, establishes a heritage committee that considers the case for 1870,” Carter mentioned.
“For the past 100 years, since the mid-1920s, the AFL has celebrated 1897 as its start. That date is wrong.”
Despite his membership’s fierce rivalry with Geelong and the truth that Hawthorn would acquire no flags from altering the date to 1870, Kennett says Carter’s work is to be applauded.
“I was there for the major debates at commission and club presidents’ meetings a couple of years ago and it was very, very vocal and personal,” Kennett mentioned.
“But I have to say, it is one code and whether it’s a business or sport, someone plants an acorn.
“I do not settle for Colin is motivated by Geelong … he is carried out lots of work. I’m not against the idea that the historical past of the code is value being inclusive.
“There’s a lot of substance in what he says.”
PREMIERSHIPS FROM 1897
16 – Carlton, Essendon
15 – Collingwood
13 – Hawthorn, Melbourne, Richmond
11 – Fitzroy/Brisbane
10 – Geelong
5 – South Melbourne/Sydney
4 – North Melbourne, West Coast
2 – Adelaide, Western Bulldogs
1 – Port Adelaide, St Kilda
PREMIERSHIPS FROM 1870
22 – Carlton
20 – Essendon
17 – Geelong
16 – Collingwood, Melbourne
13 – Hawthorn, Richmond
12 – Fitzroy/Brisbane
10 – South Melbourne/Sydney
4 – North Melbourne, West Coast
2 – Adelaide, Western Bulldogs
1 – Port Adelaide, St Kilda
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
