AFL club Western Bulldogs say they will not reschedule its clash with Fremantle in May to make room for the A-League grand final if Melbourne Victory reach the title decider.
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Confusion over the May 17 date has lead to a clash, with the Bulldogs scheduled to face the Dockers on the same day at Etihad Stadium.
Melbourne Victory currently sit on top of the A-League ladder and are on course to have the rights to host the final, however Bulldogs president Peter Gordan told SEN radio that the Bulldogs will not move the game under any circumstances.
“We’re not moving aside for soccer,” Gordon is quoted as saying by AAP.
“What’s prime in our mind is four premiership points.
“It’s a home game for us and it’s already been fixtured, it’s a done deal, that’s where we want to play it and that’s where it will be played.”
Victory’s second home ground, AAMI Park, has reportedly been ruled out by Football Federation Australia (FFA) due to its limited capacity.
The standoff means the FFA may force the Victory to play the final interstate even if they qualify as the ‘host’ side.
It’s not the first time the rival footballing codes have clashed over the availability of stadiums, with former AFL chief Andrew Demetriou slamming Australia’s failed 2022 World Cup due to its plans to use the MCG.
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