In 1991 for yr 12 English Major assignment, I chose to investigate whether Port would ever eventually enter the AFL.
The Crows were finding their feet in their first season and talk was that Fitzroy were interested in merger talks. As a part of the assignment, I was lucky enough to interview a lot of very important people at the time who were close to the action - John Cahill, Bruce Abernathy, Leon Weingard (Fitzroy), Bob Clayton - but probably the most important - the late, great, Ted Whitten.
The following is the word for word manuscript in which he hand wrote the answers (hey, it was 1991 - no email
) and when I stumbled upon this again and read it for the first time in almost 20 years, was just blown away with how he had sort of predicted history. Please remember I was 17 at the time so excuse the (lack of) journalistic skills. Enjoy.FC: Do you know if there is currently any talk of Fitzroy merging at all, or is it just media talk?
TW: No. I firmly believe Fitzroy will still be a member of the AFL for a few more years but I also believe they will be one of the 1st to move later
FC: Given Fitzroys current financial situation, would there be any possibility of a merger with Port Adelaide if it was the only possible way of saving the club and not losing it's identity?
TW:Not at this point, they survived this year raising $800,000, however they must win games to survive.
FC: How do you think the public would respond if a merge took place, wether it be with another AFL club or an SANFL club?
TW: I think it may be another WA club and maybe out of the Fremantle area.
FC: Do you feel that because of the growing size of the national competition, that the number of Victorian teams should be reduced by amalgamating?
TW: Yes, I think that will happn later on. There are too many teams operating out of Melbourne, probably getting down to 8.
FC: What is your opinion of the situation in general?
TW: I suppose to be fully national Sydney and Brisbane must stay, cut the size of the teams in Mel
bounre. Stop paying players such huge amounts of dollars.
he'd be turning in his grave wouldn't he?
