Last year, 5 AFL matches were telecast into Asia each weekend. This year it has been dropped back to 4 matches. Further, the Friday & Saturday night matches won’t be shown until 1am the following morning! 

Needless to say, the footy clubs around Asia are not happy. Not happy at all!

The Hong Kong Dragons contacted Australia Network to express their disappointment. To read Australia Network’s response, read the post on the Hong Kong Dragons’ website.

The Swans Super Coach, Scotty Stacey then wrote to the CEO of the Australia Network, Mr Heath Watt:

Dear Sir,

Warmest greetings from a SE Asia expat. I write to you regarding an issue which is fast becoming the largest stir of the community here, the programming of AFL telecasts into the region.

To read the full email, click onto Super Coach’s email – a fine piece of professional and reasoned writing exercising great restraint.

The irony of it all is that Australia Network is cutting back while the AFL is talking big about expanding overseas.

The Swans Blog has emailed the AFL asking whether it had made any representations to the Australia Network. So far we have not received a response (admittedly we only sent the email off 20 minutes ago).