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AFL running scared of Victory

28 September 2006 | 18:46 - AAP

Melbourne Victory is disappointed the AFL has refused to publish an advertisement for the A-League club's clash with Queensland Roar in its grand final program.

 

The Victory was keen to promote its top-of-the-table clash at Telstra Dome, to be played the day after Saturday's AFL decider between Sydney and West Coast.

But the Victory was told the proposed ad in the Footy Record had been turned down by the AFL.

"It's a huge weekend for sport in town, a great celebration and we want to let all the fans know, especially the ones coming from interstate, about our game against Queensland on Sunday," Victory chief executive Geoff Miles said.

"And we got a call yesterday that the ad had been pulled."

"We understand that the reason was because we are a rival code and the AFL have a discretion to take out any ads that they're not happy with."

"We're disappointed, we're supporting the Storm this weekend, the (NRL grand final against Brisbane will be live) on the screens at Telstra Dome for all the fans."

"We thought there was plenty of room for both codes - being in the summer and all the public comments from (AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou) about there being room for all codes here."

"It's disappointing that they won't accept our money."

The Victory drew an A-League record crowd of almost 40,000 fans to its first match at Telstra Dome against Sydney FC earlier this month and is expecting more than 30,000 for Sunday's clash with the second-placed Roar.

"It wasn't a huge ad but it certainly would have cost us a few thousand dollars and we're happy to make that investment," said Miles.

"(The AFL) have discretion to approve or not approve."

"And whilst there are a number of reasons, it seems that one of them was because we are a rival code and it's an important publication for them on their big day."

Victory has won its opening five matches.

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