Renowned hardman Jonathan Brown has taken an almighty swipe on the AFL over its finals fixturing and the therapy of 1 membership specifically.
No, it’s not his Brisbane Lions, the membership he helped to 3 premierships in his glittering 256-game profession.
Surprisingly, it’s the Lions’ opponents in week one of many AFL finals, Port Adelaide.
Watch each match of The 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series earlier than the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and begin streaming immediately >
Brisbane, who completed second on the finish of the common season, will host the third-placed Power on the Gabba at 7.25pm AEST on Saturday evening within the second qualifying remaining.
A curfew at Brisbane Airport then means the South Australian aspect can’t return house till Sunday and would face a possible six-day turnaround to host its subsequent remaining if it loses to the Lions.
It’s not simply the diminished restoration time Brown complained about with regards to Port.
The 41-year-old former All Australian additionally feels the choice is predicated on scores, opting to place second versus third on prime time on Saturday evening, slightly than a conflict between St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney.
The Saints and Giants have two of the smaller supporter teams within the AFL.
“I’m happy being a Brisbane supporter playing Saturday night, but I think it’s a bad move by the AFL,” Brown mentioned on Fox Footy’s On the Couch on Monday evening.
“I think Port Adelaide’s been harshly affected. They finished top four, they deserve preferable scheduling.
“They deserve to be back home on Saturday night in their own bed.
“They won’t be able to do that, there’s a curfew out of Brisbane Airport, so they won’t get home until Sunday.
“If they lose, they have to back up essentially six days later. I think that’s poor from the AFL.
“Port Adelaide have earned the right to have a better schedule. That is a big mistake by the AFL.
“They want to go for the ratings. They probably think Brisbane-Port Adelaide is better than St Kilda-GWS on Saturday.”
Brown has some expertise on this division.
He was famously a part of a Lions aspect that was compelled to play a preliminary remaining on the MCG again in 2004 on account of a contract settlement with the venue.
Somewhat sarcastically, Port Adelaide was the minor premier that yr so earned a house prelim towards St Kilda.
That left the Lions, who have been chasing a historic fourth consecutive flag, enjoying in Melbourne to qualify for the grand remaining.
Topping it off, they couldn’t persuade the AFL to vary the 7.30pm beginning time, giving Brisbane the identical issues getting house that Port will face this weekend.
The Lions did win that prelim towards Geelong, earlier than shedding the decider to Port the next week.
“I’ve lived it,” Brown mentioned on Monday evening. “This is probably digging up old scars.
“The difference in that one night at home being back in your own bed has a huge impact on recovery.
“That first 24 hours is critical. For a side that travels every second week, they would know the importance of that.
“I just think it’s poor for a top four team.
Brown conceded if Port win the game, and get a week off, it is all a moot point.
But he pointed out Brisbane’s imposing home record in 2023.
“Yes if they do win, it doesn’t really matter,” he mentioned.
“But there’s a reasonable chance they’re going to lose up there, Brisbane haven’t lost a game at the Gabba this year.
“The AFL could’ve done a better job.”
Source: www.news.com.au
