Greater Western Sydney chairman Tony Shepherd has condemned former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett for his “disrespectful” war analogy of the AFL’s 18th club.
Kennett this week critiqued the league for pouring money into the expansion side, crudely comparing the Giants’ lack of on-field success and big crowds to Australia’s failed Gallipoli campaign in World War I.
“I fear we are on the verge within the AFL of committing our own Gallipoli, where leadership is not flexible enough to say we’ve made a mistake,” Kennett told 3AW of the Giants, who are not even halfway through their second season.
AFL chief Andrew Demetriou responded by stressing for the umpteenth time that GWS is a long-term project.
Shepherd, speaking at Saturday’s pre-match function at Skoda Stadium, was more forthright.
“It’s been another interesting week in football with my old mate Jeff Kennett sticking his head up I’m not sure it’s ever down for very long and making some regrettable comments about the Giants,” Shepherd said prior to his side’s home clash with Geelong.
“As Kevin Sheedy noted, to compare the building of a football club to Gallipoli is disrespectful to the many young Australians and other troops who died there.
“Even putting this silly analogy aside, his comments about the Giants were ill informed and show a complete lack of understanding of the AFL’s expansion strategy.
“It’s funny how some presidents or ex-presidents like Jeff were happy to reap the financial benefits of expansion through increased broadcast revenue but would now like to see the back of us after five minutes in the competition. Or 32 games to be precise.”