> Watch the three assistant coaches address the media on MondayCOLLINGWOOD will hold its best and fairest function in December after it was forced to postpone the presentation of the Copeland Trophy in preparation for Saturday’s grand final replay.
The event was originally scheduled for Friday, October 1 but with the replay of the drawn grand final against St Kilda taking place the following day, the Magpies had no choice but to put off the popular function.
The draw has created a logistical nightmare for the two participating clubs and various other event organisers.
Both clubs cancelled their planned family days and post-match functions last weekend and a large contingent of players and staff have been forced to rearrange flights for their post-season holidays.
Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert said the club had little choice but to schedule the Copeland Trophy night after their pre-season training camp in Arizona.
“It was a massive organisation to prepare for the grand final, which took weeks to do ... and we’ve had to cancel or reorganise most of that,” Pert said on Monday.
“The Copeland Trophy is probably going to end up in December now because with the voting system it takes two or three days for every player to be ranked and voted on," he said.
"The integrity of that system is too important to try and rush straight after the game and roll it into the Saturday night function.
“It’s a long list of complexities, but we have to deal with it. We’re just looking at a new venue and a new time for when the guys get back from Arizona.”
The AFL has agreed to compensate St Kilda and Collingwood for the costs involved in cancelling venues, rebooking alternate locations and altering flights.
Pert said the parties involved had also agreed the players would receive financial compensation for playing in the grand final replay, which is expected to net the AFL more than $10million.
“I spoke to the powers at the AFL straight after the game and they all said, ‘Yep, let’s work out the numbers. We accept responsibility and compensation will be put in place [for the clubs]’,” Pert said.
“I think everyone sees that it’s the players putting on the show and that they’re going to put on another show and should be compensated.
"Exactly what that figure is, again we’ll have to work that out but it’s accepted by all parties that they need to be looked after and looked after well.”
