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Qantas reject Eels request to delay flight out of Melbourne

Posted by Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst on September 5, 2017 at 5:06am
Qantas has rejected a request from the Parramatta Eels to delay the last flight out of Melbourne on Saturday night in a bid to return home straight after their semi-final against the Storm at AAMI Park.Eels officials are mindful of the disadvantage they face travelling interstate for the game, keen to avoid losing a day of preparation in travel if they lose to Melbourne this weekend.AdvertisementIn a bid to aid recovery, Parramatta – who are expected to be without fullback Bevan French again through injury – requested to have the 8pm Qantas flight departing from Melbourne pushed back 30 minutes in the hope of a quick getaway from AAMI Park to the airport.However the Eels, who won't consider organising a chartered flight, were on Monday informed that Qantas wouldn't be able to play ball and the players would have to make it to the airport on time for the 8pm flight if they intended on going home that night.RELATED ARTICLEYet to find a sponsor, the Parramatta Eels are open to offers.Ready for a shirt front: Eels willing to give sponsor finals spotlightIt's understood the Eels are still leaning towards making the mad rush across town to fly out on the same night of the game, however the prospect of golden point extra time is a cause for concern.The match at AAMI Park is scheduled to kick off at 4.10pm and estimated to finish at about 6pm. The Eels will also have to fulfil their post-match media press conference and are unlikely to be able to leave the precinct until around 6.45pm.With the match expected to be a sell-out, heavy traffic is expected to delay their 28-kilometre bus ride to the airport. The Eels will send all their gear and equipment to the airport straight after the match to be checked onto the flight, allowing the players to walk straight through with just carry-on luggage.The Eels were working with the NRL on Monday in the hope of a slight adjustment to the flight schedule, however Qantas wouldn't budge."It's more to the fact that we wanted to get them home," Eels chief executive Bernie Gurr said."They've been away one night having travelled to Melbourne on the Friday. There's a real desire to get them back in their own place and in their own beds as soon as possible. We feel why should we stay another night if we don't have to. That's our thought at the moment."If the Eels pull off an upset and topple the Storm, they will have two weeks to prepare for a preliminary final against either the Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles or Penrith Panthers.If they lose, the Eels will have seven days to prepare for a Saturday night clash at ANZ Stadium against the winner of the Cronulla-North Queensland match this weekend.
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Replies

  • 2agd8rk0gah1u September 5, 2017 at 5:56am
    They may have to consider chartering a flight if all else fails.
  • This reply was deleted.
    • Burty Boy September 5, 2017 at 7:16am

      I would say we have a corporate deal with Qantas along the lines of a set discounted rate, on the condition we don't use another airline.

  • Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst September 5, 2017 at 9:08am
    There is another way to delay flights.....yell out Allah Akbar
    • fishbulb > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst September 5, 2017 at 9:14am
      What, the dude from Star Wars?
  • Wizardssleeves official receipts September 5, 2017 at 9:13am
    FFS , who do they think they are ? What about the other 200 people who'd like to get home half an hour earlier ? Dead set you're fuckig people who play a game for a living not royalty . If I was flying Qantas and they'd delayed my flight because a few kids had to do a press conference after their game of kick the ball id be pissed off . Hire a coach and they can sleep for the 7 hour drive ffs if they must be home that night and not at 8am the next day.

    Instead of asking 200 or more of the general population and a whole airline to put themselves out to accomodate these 17 players , how about you ask the NRL and the TV providers to go without the after match press conference ?
    • ZipZip > Wizardssleeves official receipts September 5, 2017 at 9:58am

      I agree heartily. As if Qantas would interrupt the plans of over 200 hundred paying customers to accommodate a footy team at the last minute. 

      It's particularly cold down here this week, I wish they were getting here sooner than Friday to acclimatise. This weather is a joke, a top of 13 today and 12 on Saturday. It'll be about 8 or 9 degrees while they're playing at AAMI, it's supposed to be spring ffs.

    • Tin Tim > Wizardssleeves official receipts September 5, 2017 at 2:14pm
      Nothing wrong with asking. It's not rude, it's rude to demand or expect.
  • Wizardssleeves official receipts September 5, 2017 at 9:18am
    Hey , we should hit our jersey sponsor up to pay for it ...........or at least use the money they gave us this year to pay for it .
  • Longfin Eel September 5, 2017 at 9:51am

    I suppose you can scratch Qantas off the list of sponsor possibilities.

    • macybrown > Longfin Eel September 5, 2017 at 10:02am
      Haha! Seems that way.
This reply was deleted.

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