As a Fremantle Football Club supporter I am somewhat confused by the opposition to the sponsorship of Woodside Ltd to the FFC, but nothing is mentioned about the AGL sponsorship of the West Coast Eagles. So, what is the difference?

AGL Limited is an energy supplier and retailer, they are very prevalent on the east coast of Australia as an energy supplier for businesses and households. They operate a number of coal fired power stations and have had some very public slouches on the direction of the company. There is a very public disinformation campaign targeting Woodside Energy, but these very same activists are giving the West Coast Eagles a free pass on their sponsorship deals. Let’s not even discuss obesity and the long-term Hungry Jacks sponsorship deals.

Now as a duty of disclosure, I am a member of the Fremantle Football Club, own shares in Woodside Petroleum Limited and AGL Limited. Due to the issues within AGL and their inability to decarbonise and change their strategic direction to renewable energy, my long held interest in the company has devalued significantly. They have failed to look at further crypto, online betting, fast food, Coca Cola, Carlton Draft and a whole host of other sponsors.

Woodside Limited on the other hand is different, I want to invest more in this company but I believe the share price is fully valued. However, I do not want to pay a premium to purchase further shares in this company. Any broad market downturn would see me increase my holdings, I am waiting for such a downturn. I am not seeking to increase my exposure in AGL Limited in a downturn, I will just sit on my current holdings.

What Woodside Limited does very poorly is market this business. Sure, they are not a consumer business so they do not need to market this business in the same way a consumer supplier or retailer does. Nevertheless, Woodside Limited has been a long-term sponsor of the Fremantle Football Club and is an important sponsor, Woodside Limited does have natural gas investments but is also a major investor in renewable energy with $5 billion invested in new energy strategies by 2023.