Fremantle president Dale Alcock believes there is an opportunity for greater collaboration between Fremantle and West Coast in the wake of the highly publicised injury to Andrew Brayshaw sustained during the Western Derby in round 20.
Alcock said the incident, which involved Brayshaw and West Coast’s Andrew Gaff, may lead to ill-feeling between the two WA-based clubs and overshadow one of the AFL’s great rivalries.
In the lead-up to Fremantle’s clash with Carlton on Sunday, Alcock addressed the subject during his speech in the Presidents Suite at Optus Stadium before almost 200 guests, including the club’s sponsors and corporate partners.
“There’s been talk around collaboration (between Fremantle and West Coast),” Alcock said.
“We’re up for that and I think that both Fremantle and West Coast have collaborated well (in the past).
“I think the stadium negotiations are a great example of that. I think our current (WA) Football Commission royalty agreement is another area of collaboration, where we’ve worked well together as the two clubs and will continue to do so.”
Alcock said that plans have been made for representatives of both clubs to meet and work on building an off-field relationship that does not affect their rivalry and competitiveness on the field.
“At the (AFL) CEO’s conference over in Melbourne this week (Fremantle CEO) Steve Rosich raised the issue with (West Coast CEO) Trevor Nisbett,” Alcock said.
“Out of that has come an agreement for both CEOs and both presidents to meet after the season and prior to next season to discuss this and see a way forward for greater collaboration.
“That doesn’t detract from the fact that we shouldn’t be fierce in our opposition on the field. We’re not going to back away from that.
“The last thing I, or anyone associated with Fremantle in the board and the management, wants to see is that rawness of this (incident) amplify itself in ongoing derbies.
“We need to draw the line. Understand that fierce competitiveness is for out on the field and it’s all about fairness, respect and sportsmanship.
“We think that has to be what the core of this club is about. We respect our opposition, all of our opponents, and it should be about the love of the game.”
Alcock added that he has the welfare of both Braysaw and Gaff at the front of his mind.
“(Brayshaw’s) operation has gone very well. Not playing it down, in the normal course of events, that would be a 10 to 12 week injury,” Alcock said.
“Some of that’s going to go across the off-season so it’s a significant injury but it’s good to report that he’s with family in Melbourne recuperating.
“I also think we need to be concerned for the welfare also of Andrew Gaff.
“Our thoughts are with him as well as he’s a very decent young man. He made a mistake and I think we all move on from there. I think that’s important.”
