State and federal politicians unite with council to support debt-hit Frankston Dolphins Football Club

Dunkley federal Liberal MP Chris Crewther, Frankston state Labor MP Paul Edbrooke and Frankston mayor James Dooley have thrown their weight behind the debt-hit club.

Mr Crewther said the politicians had cast differences aside to show a united front.

“There’s an important message we want to send — that AFL Victoria continue the license (for the Dolphins to remain in the state league),” he said.

“We want to work together to find to a solution to keep the club going.

“In the long run that’s a better outcome, not only for the community, but also the creditors and supporters.”

Mr Crewther said the politicians understood that a move by AFL Victoria to revoke the club’s license was imminent.

Mr Edbrooke said all three levels of government had come together in solidarity with the club.

He said he stood by comments made on radio that AFL Victoria’s move to terminate the license was a “dog of an act”.
“It’s come out of the blue,” he told the Leader.

Cr Dooley said moves to effectively axe the club needed a rethink.

“The idea of the AFL abandoning the peninsula and southeast suburbs is unthinkable,” he said.

Dolphins legend Bryan Mace said AFL clubs such as Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs had been in serious trouble before turning their fortunes around.

Mr Mace said he was confident the Dolphins could do the same.

“The relationship between the Dolphins and the (wider) football family must carry on and there should be no second thought about it,” he said.

Supporters have started a change.org petition calling on AFL Victoria not to terminate the Frankston Dolphins Football Club’s license.

AFL Victoria will meet with club officials today to discuss the club’s future.

A statement issued by AFL Victoria spokesman Anthony Stanguts said the body would not comment until after discussions with the Dolphins.

AFL Victoria has already told administrator Paul Burness, from Frankston firm Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants, that it would terminate the Dolphins’ licence to play in the state league imminently.

Multiple sources have told the Leader that AFL Victoria’s move on the Dolphins was “non-negotiable”.

The club went into voluntary administration four weeks ago with debts of about $1.5 million.