Greater Western Sydney chief Dave Matthews has taken aim at Collingwood ruckman Mason Cox for labelling the Giants’ home ground “a showground for livestock”.
Cox made the sledge when he reacted to the AFL’s bizarre “opening round” announcement this week.
The governing body has opted to begin its 2024 season with a four-game mini-round a week before the season proper kicks off with round one.
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GWS will host the Magpies at Giants Stadium on March 9 – a venue that otherwise plays host to Sydney’s Royal Easter Show.
“Round one, NRL goes to Las Vegas,” Cox wrote on social media.
“AFL premiers go to … a showground for livestock.”
Cox was clearly baffled why the 2023 grand final winners would be opening their 2024 campaign in Sydney as part of a strange new fixture.
But the comments made their way to Matthews, who didn’t take kindly to having Giants Stadium referred to in such a way.
“To be honest, it’s D-grade comedy at best,” Matthews told SEN’s The Captain’s Run.
https://twitter.com/masonsixtencox/status/1724684680492974127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“I guess that’s his thing. I guess it resonates with some people.
“I didn’t see it, someone showed it to me.
“I guess our players and fans are looking forward to giving him a warm welcome when he does get here, assuming he’s in the side.”
The AFL might yet be thanking Cox for adding some intrigue to the ‘opening round’ next year.