THE Coburg Football Club is steadfast that it can stand its own two feet should its alliance with Richmond eventually cease.
"We will survive," president Bill Balakis said.
"I think given the support we have and the sponsorship we have, we know it'll be a tough gig, but we will survive.
"I don't know what the long-term vision is of the AFL but I do think if we as a football club were to stand alone we would endeavour to survive. The history of the club has been up and down but I have no doubt in my mind it will survive."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick inadvertently poured oil on the fire when he revealed to the media the AFL Tigers planned to ditch their alignment with Coburg and field a stand-alone side in the VFL.
AFL clubs can sever alignments at the end of the 2011 season and Richmond, which wants to raise $6 million from its fans in search of an 11th premiership, is the first to publicly declare it wants out
He said the club would consider all options when Richmond ditched the affiliation, but pointed out that was not across the line yet. "I don't know when they're going to go, what if they don't pick up their $6 million?
"I've spoken with Richmond president (Gary March) and he's not quite sure when that could be."
Balakis admitted he was "very much surprised" at Hardwick's comments that Richmond wanted out of the partnership.
"I was definitely taking aback ... but the affiliation is pretty good, the comments won't affect the alignment (this year)."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/we-will-survive-balakis/story-fn53...
