With debate growing and more clubs getting behind the proposal to play a game on one of the holiest days on the calendar, the Roos’ chairman reiterated his club’s long push for the concept to be approved by the AFL.
“I was really pleased to see there is a bit of movement and potentially some ability to play (on Good Friday),” Brayshaw told The Herald Sun's Glenn McFarlane.
“There are only so many marquee days on the calendar and, from North Melbourne’s point of view, we would hope the AFL would look favourably on the fact that we have been pushing this for a long time.
“And I am sure they will.
“Innovation is one of North Melbourne’s values and our plan to play on Good Friday well and truly predates this administration.”
Brayshaw says his club came up with the idea about two decades ago.
“It goes back to the days of ‘Doc’ (Allen) Aylett, ‘Smoky’ (Mark) Dawson and Andrew Carter.
“I am sure that Andrew (Demetriou) and Gil McLachlan would be the first to acknowledge the fact that the AFL has known about our interest for almost 20 years.”
Ideally North wants to play Carlton and the game would link into the annual Good Friday appeal and raising much needed funds and awareness.
The winning captain and coach could even go into the Royal Children’s Hospital appeal to present a cheque that could top $100,000.
“Three years ago we put in a detailed proposal, on behalf of Carlton and North Melbourne, because we are the two clubs on either side of the Children’s Hospital,” he said.
“I was amazed at the time it was not accepted. To me, it was a no-brainer,” Brayshaw explained
“We are giving rugby league a free hit. We are also now a multicultural country and society. So we will dust our proposal and take it back to the AFL.”
Carlton president Stephen Kernahan and chief executive Greg Swann backed the idea.
“He (Swann) said ‘We are equally as committed to it’,” Brayshaw said.
“It is just a great concept and if there is movement at Commission level, we would welcome the opportunity to dust off the proposal and present it again.”
With the AFL Commission warming to the idea, the Kangaroos will again lodge their intentions with the AFL of playing on April 18 next year in a twilight match.
