Blues plan to ditch gate-sharing deal

In a decision that could come at a cost of up to $200,000 to the Tigers' bottom line next year, new Carlton boss Steven Trigg confirmed he was looking at shelving the long-term agreement when the Blues host the season-opener next year on April 2.

Richmond chief Brendon Gale said the potential shift by the Blues would mean the end to the season-opening, gate-sharing deal, adding he would be disappointed given the on-going success of the game.

"We've worked hard to jointly build this game," Gale said. "It's been a joint effort which has been overwhelmingly enjoyed by both our [clubs'] supporters.

"It's their decision and I respect that but were Carlton to arrive at the decision they are contemplating, it would be disappointing.."

Trigg told Fairfax Media that while he was still familiarising himself with the concept of gate-sharing, he was looking at scrapping the Carlton-Richmond deal, which sees the two clubs share the gate in every season in which the two teams play each other twice.

"I'm not sure that it's something we'll do next year," Trigg said. "I have a view that if we do it we do it regardless of how many times we play each other. It's an interesting commercial proposition.

"Regardless of what we do, ultimately I'm prepared to work with the Tigers to promote their home game against us later in the year."

Next year would have marked the ninth consecutive year that the rivals had played each other at the MCG in round one, with 2014 proving the exception when the Tigers hosted the Blues on the Thursday night of round two because of the stadium's unavailability for the earlier start to the season. Richmond did not share the gate – which finished a relatively disappointing result because both teams were beaten the previous week and fewer than 70,000 attended the match – because according to the deal, the clubs only split the profits when they play each other twice.

The game has proved a genuine blockbuster since 2008 in terms of attendances. A crowd of more than 80,000 – which the two clubs have often achieved – would see the home team reap a profit of more than $500,000 on most occasions, and up to $700,000.

Richmond has a similar agreement with Essendon, which has been in place as a result of the on-going success of the Saturday night Dreamtime clash that showcases the AFL's indigenous round.

Carlton's new stadium deal will see it play six home games at the MCG next year with the Blues hosting Richmond, Essendon and Collingwood in the first five weeks of the 2015 season. The Tigers host the return bout against Carlton in a Friday night clash on July 10.