South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has strongly criticised football officials for seeking taxpayer funding to facilitate the hosting of cricket’s Sheffield Shield final at the Adelaide Oval. Although Malinauskas has not disclosed the identities of those making the demands, it is reported that the request is linked to a lucrative Footy Express bus arrangement between the state government and Adelaide’s AFL teams, the Crows and Power.
The Premier expressed his frustration, stating, “I find it quite galling that some individuals are attempting to exploit an opportunity meant for fans to instead pressure taxpayers for financial relief. This will not be tolerated.”
Following Malinauskas’s comments, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon confirmed that the contentious request has been withdrawn. However, a formal agreement for the Sheffield Shield final to go ahead at the Adelaide Oval, especially between two AFL matches, is yet to be finalised.
Current concerns revolve around the possibility of an inferior playing surface for the cricket match, raising issues regarding player compensation in the event of injuries. Despite these challenges, officials at the Adelaide Oval remain optimistic about their capability to effectively manage both football and cricket events in such a tight timeframe.