Dees spend up in AFL arms race

Melbourne chairman Don McLardy concedes the push is on for clubs to spend more on football departments and gain an edge on rivals. Picture: Darren McNamara Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE is determined to prosper against the AFL's heavyweights, despite being blown out of the water by cashed-up rivals on football department spending.

The Demons were 11th in football department spending in 2011, but made a concerted bid to lift that figure this year.

Yet clubs such as Collingwood continue to declare large profits and spend up to $20 million on the football arm of its business.

Melbourne increased its outlay by $1.67 million this year from $16.3 million in 2011, with president Don McLardy saying yesterday the club would be smart with the extra spending.

The Demons have been able to clear their debt, declare a small profit, and lift the football department spending so they could secure elite coaches and fitness staff including David Misson and Neil Craig.

Melbourne chief executive Cameron Schwab confirmed yesterday major sponsors Webjet and Opel had recently re-signed after being lured to the club after the Energy Watch controversy in April.

McLardy conceded the push was on for clubs to spend more on football departments and gain an edge on rivals.

"It is an arms race, but we feel like we are competitive in that area," he said. "Our spend is healthy. We don't feel hamstrung.

"We are prudent with that spend. It's not about throwing money everywhere. We want to keep up in key areas and be experimental and at the forefront of new technology and sports sciences."

McLardy this week lauded Schwab for his recent work at the helm of the club, as the league continues its investigation into tanking claims.

Neither McLardy or Schwab will comment on the investigation, but McLardy indicated this week the Demons would use every available tool to fight attempts to sanction them.

The league seems to have finished interviewing Melbourne employees, but has given no indication whether it will lay charges.

There is an AFL Commission meeting this month at which the league could deal with the issue, but it would need to charge Melbourne soon to allow a proper response.

The AFL's concern centres on a comment from then football manager Chris Connolly, which former coach Dean Bailey is known to believe was a comedic throwaway line in a two-hour match committee meeting.

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