AFL bosses again clash in long-standing rivalry.
Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham has launched a stinging attack on Collingwood counterpart Eddie McGuire, saying he is the AFL’s equivalent of Clive Palmer.
It is the latest barb traded between the two teams, after McGuire called Swans coach John Longmire “petty” for refusing to work with alongside him as part of the International Rules team.
Pridham said he had had enough of seeing McGuire twist the competition to meet his personal means.
“He is the AFL equivalent of Clive Palmer,” Pridham said.
“He represents one 18th of the clubs, which is 5.5 per cent of the clubs, but he just dominates the agenda for reasons of self-interest.
“No one seems to bring him to account but I’m happy to.
“I’ve got nothing against Eddie personally but if he keeps attacking us we have to fight back.”
Longmire confirmed McGurie’s accusation that he did not want to work with him, in the press conference of his side’s win over Carlton this weekend.
“I’m aware of Eddie’s comments and it is true,” Longmire said.
“I’m not commenting on it, I’ve moved on, the AFL has moved on, everyone’s moved on.
“I’m not worried about it, I’m worried about the Swans, we have to keep winning games of footy. That’s what I’m worried about.”
The Swans boss said McGuire needed to check himself and reign in his own self importance after making a statement on The Footy Show on Thursday night, which lifted the lid on the rift between he and Longmire.
“We all know that being a footy club president and a game-show host and football commentator is a very important occupation but it’s going a bit far when you start talking about the national interest,” Pridham said of McGuire
“It’s a bit of a stretch and also very Cliver Palmerish.”
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