In his role as host of The Footy Show, McGuire revealed the AFL had made the decision the MCG would host the grand final until 2057. He also announced the Victorian government will pour nearly $500 million into its AFL grounds, with almost half the cash going to a makeover of Etihad Stadium and millions for women’s football.

Sheahan said McGuire was privy to the information because it was confirmed during a phone hook-up between the AFL and club presidents — something he should have mentioned before he told viewers and the live studio audience: “I’m about to the break one of the biggest stories in the history of the game.”

Read more: Footy’s $500m megadeal

Sheahan said McGuire’s approach reflected a conflict of interests as he juggles media gigs with being Magpies president.

“Eddie was briefed as president of the Collingwood football club,” Sheahan told SEN Breakfast.

“The presidents were informed of all the details about this agreement. Eddie did owe it to us to say that he was privy to this information in his role as a president.

“He claimed it as a world scoop.

“I think Eddie is entitled to say we have a huge story, and presumably there is no embargo, but he should have said to us that this came from the presidents meeting.

“We argue conflict of interest all the time, and I think this is a clear case of that.”

TIGERS QUESTION PUNT ROAD SNUB

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said he was puzzled why the Tigers’ headquarters at Punt Road were not included in the Victorian government’s planed upgrades to facilities around the state.

Gale said the defending premiers had asked to be included in the package but were overlooked while teams like St Kilda, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs will all benefit from the injection of funds.

The news comes after Richmond became the first AFL club to boast 90,000 members.

“None (no benefits) forthcoming, so far which we’re a little surprised with to be honest,” Gale said.

“I think 90,000 members might be a little surprised as well given that what a genuine community hub this is.

“I don’t want to rain on the parade of the announcement, I think the government have made a significant investment in our code and it gives us great confidence and the AFL have done a great job.

“But, from our point of view, we’re a little surprised.”

TEENAGER’S HUGE FRANKLIN TASK

Western Bulldogs fourth-gamer Aaron Naughton will be thrown the most formidable challenge in the AFL this weekend when he’s asked to mind Sydney superstar Lance Franklin.

And Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge admits it might go pear-shaped. Beveridge has made no secret of his admiration for the Swans forward, calling him the best player in the competition.

Equally, he’s got plenty of time for Naughton — the club’s first-round pick from last year’s draft — and he can’t wait to see how the 18-year-old stacks up.

“At different times he’s known why Lance is the best player in the comp,” Beveridge said. “He’s obviously a driven young player. He wants to perform at the highest level straight away.

“He’ll be on Lance at different times.

“I think (Franklin) gets better every year and to not turn your mind to how to combat that would be senseless.

“We’ll go in with a plan there and at different times Aaron will be near him.”

The expectations on the Bulldogs for the visit of the premiership favourites have been transformed by last week’s surprise win over Essendon. They’re no longer lambs to the AFL slaughter but are now seen to have a puncher’s chance against the Swans.

Sydney accounted for the Bulldogs comfortably in their past meeting with a 46-point margin at the SCG when Franklin kicked 3.5.

Beveridge said the Swans were simply cleaner.

“The one area they got us is the one that you want to take care of, the actual execution of playing football,” he said.

“Our endeavour this week is to make sure we’re a hell of a lot better than last time.

“Also to build on some good signs from last week.

“Each week is a new project. If our players go out and execute like they did last week we’ll be right in the mix and a chance.”

Beveridge was surprised to learn that his side was ranked last in the competition for both tackling and contested possessions.

But, after three rounds, he’s not overly concerned.

“What we’d like to do is have the ball in our hands more than having to tackle ... it’s a second priority the tackling,” he said.

“I’m not necessarily a quantitative gent. I’m always looking at the quantitative side of things.

“We’ll aim to improve in (contested football) when it’s our turn.”

— AAP