Crows chairman Rob Chapman (centre) is willing to forgo an offer from the AFL to open the 2014 season with a Showdown clash at the revamped Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser
CROWS chairman Rob Chapman is prepared to turn his back on AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou's offer of a Friday night Showdown to open Adelaide Oval in late March next year.
Chapman yesterday recommended the AFL wait until at least round three for a Showdown so that the fans, police and stadium officials can adjust to the ways of the new 50,000-seat Adelaide Oval before exposing the arena and city district to the pressure of a sell-out derby.
And Chapman says the heated public debate on which of the SA-based clubs gets the "home" status at the first Showdown at Adelaide Oval, or the first game at the new stadium, is irrelevant.
"I don't give a toss who gets the (home) rights," he said of the fight to be the first-named team in Showdown XXXVI at Adelaide Oval next year.
"It doesn't matter. We play twice a year."
The AFL is preparing to hand hosting rights to the first Showdown next season to Port Adelaide, ensuring both derbies at the Oval are sold out next season.
But now the timing of that Showdown is of greater debate, particularly for the AFL, the Stadium Management Authority that runs the new oval and the league's Friday Night Football telecaster, Channel 7. Demetriou publicly vowed to open the 2014 AFL season in Adelaide with a Friday night Showdown.
But Chapman yesterday called for Demetriou and his AFL staff to rethink the timing of the first derby to ensure Adelaide Oval and the city precinct is ready for a blockbuster event.
"Andrew Demetriou has promised us a round one Friday night Showdown at Adelaide Oval," said Chapman on radio FIVEaa.
"But I think it will still be special even on Saturday afternoon or Saturday night.
"I would have played the (first Showdown at the Oval) two or three games into the season.
"There will be enough interest and hype about Adelaide Oval then.
"Have a couple of Melbourne clubs for the first two weeks, iron out the bugs and then have the Showdown."
Seven also is unlikely to back a Friday night Showdown considering a South Australian derby is unlikely to appeal to a Victorian audience where the network has the major catchment for its ratings.
There is no Friday night game this season featuring two non-Victorian clubs.
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