Tensions Over Pre-Season Trophy Draw

A number of Second Division clubs have expressed their dissatisfaction with the recently-announced Pre-Season Trophy Draw.

A joint statement representing at least four undisclosed clubs, read out by ARTTSL Teams Association President Jock Clean, detailed dissatisfaction with the structure of the draw, which sees the twelve First Division sides automatically qualify for the first round of the knock-out, while the eight Second Division clubs play one game each in the first “Wildcard Round” to determine the remaining four spots.

Furthermore, the four winners who progress to the Preliminary Round of the 16-team knock-out competition will then play away games against the four highest seeds – Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth.

“This is just another slap in the tooshie (sic) to Second Division sides and reinforces their second-rate status. It goes against the notion of a National Competition and the inclusive approach were have constant been promised by ARTTSL management, but a promise that has never been delivered in its full spirit”, Mr Clean said in the long and rambling statement.

In a brief response provided at an impromptu media conference outside Rotorua Pizza Hut (part of a promotional visit to the regional centres covered by newly expanded side North New Zealand), ARTTSL President Bernard Elksteine, wiping barbecue sauce from his chin, dismissed the complaint as frivolous, saying “with all due respect” that it was the nature of being a Second Division side that there would be additional expectation to make the step to compete at the top level in such a unique competition as the Pre-Season Trophy.

On the specific issue of the four qualifyers being “forced” to play the top four seeded sides away, Mr Elksteine, stifling an apparently hearty pizza burp, stated he could not see why this was not seen as an opportunity rather than a burden.

“In return for one win against their peers they have the chance to take on the best the competition has to offer, in their big stadiums in front of their legions of fans and their fur coasts, something they would not regularly have the opportunity to do without first qualifying for First Division”, Mr Elksteine stated.

Mr Elksteine also noted that the ARTTSL is under no contractual obligation to include the Second Division sides in the Pre-Season Trophy under the current “A380 Agreement” between the Teams Association and ARTTSL, so again this represents a unique and fortuitous opportunity.

Asked later to respond to this on behalf of the teams represented, Jock Clean stated, “Well you could consider this from our point of view, which is that we’re adding to the value of Mr Elksteine’s competition by competing in his Second Division”.

However Clean went on to say that despite their concerns, all Second Division sides had agreed to compete in the Pre-Season Trophy as it stands, seeing themselves to have no alternative course of action at this late stage.

No doubt this will further fuel speculation of a break-away league seeing Second Division sides take control of their own destiny.
ARTTSL confirmed in a statement today that the competition would proceed as scheduled and no further correspondence would be entered in to.