There are only two possible outcomes from the AFL’s intervention into the board dispute at Brisbane –chairman Angus Johnson stands down or the Emergency General Meeting is called immediately.
And the AFL hate EGM’s – which leaves only one option.

The summons from AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick to the board and their challengers to a crisis meeting next Tuesday is proof he shares the opinion of everyone else in footy, except those living in denial at the Gabba – Brisbane are a basket case.

Their intervention should be viewed with cautious optimism by Brisbane fans.

Fitzpatrick and his CEO Andrew Demetriou have put the broom through Melbourne and now it’s the Lions’ turn.

Handpicking proven administrators to salvage the wreck, like they did with Peter Jackson at Melbourne, would be a great start.

What they cannot do is use the threat of much needed funding, believed to be $1.8 million, to ram through an unworkable compromise at board level.

But it must be remembered that Paul Williams and Mick Power aren’t the only ones who want Johnson to stand down.

The members want a vote – written requests from about 800 of them prove that.

If Johnson does not stand down the AFL has no choice but to use whatever leverage it has to force the EGM to be called immediately after the Grand Final.

How can a terminal board hire a coach or make a decision on a player with the baggage targeted Tiger Dustin Martin carries?

It is not as simple as convincing Leigh Matthews to work with Johnson.

The Johnson administration’s time is up.

If Fitzpatrick has asked around Queensland footy fans and the key stakeholders in the game he would know that.

Fitzpatrick’s stated aim was to avoid an EGM because: “It is crucial that the Club’s leadership and direction is settled as quickly as possible to provide the Lions with stability at a time when it is actively planning for the 2014 season and beyond, including the appointment of a senior coach and the development of new facilities.”

That is what the members want to.

And they are the rightful owners of this football club.

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Picture: David Caird Source: Herald Sun

Article: Herald Sun