WAYNE JACKSON'S "POSITIONS" NOT SEATS.

Monday October 1, 2001

Media Statement 7/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mike O'Brien, AFLMA Media Spokesman: 043828-9048

The AFL Members Association believes AFL Supremo Wayne Jackson could have been more straightforward when he chided AFL Members for not taking all opportunities to fill the AFL Members Reserve at the 2001 Grand Final.

When asked on ABC 774's drive program on Friday if there were still SEATS available for AFL Members, Jackson replied "yes, as of half an hour ago there were 500 POSITIONS available", and inferred that if this was so, AFL Members have nothing to complain about.

The AFLMA would like to point out that STANDING ROOM "positions" are not SEATS. AFL Members pay for a seat at this game as part of their $356 annual fee. "While a small minority actually prefer standing room", said AFLMA Media Spokesman Mike O'Brien, "the vast majority of people attending the Grand Final want to sit. Many members would be physically incapable of standing for 5 or more hours - perhaps Mr Jackson might like to come down from his comfortable seat on level 2 and give it a try next year."

In any case, these standing room "positions" seem to have been very quickly snapped up, and the AFL Members Reserve appeared to be filled to capacity on Saturday. "Ordinary members don't want Wayne Jackson's leavings, we want seats," said Mr O'Brien. "Wayne Jackson took 5000 off us for the Medallion Club, and now he expects us to stand."

The AFL Members Association congratulates 2001 Premiers Brisbane, and thanks the Lions and the Bombers for a memorable Grand Final.

The AFLMA web page is located at: http://www.aflma.com

Contact the AFLMA on 0418-921-508 or email media@aflma.com