Victorian sports minister Damian Drum has hit back at suggestions from Collingwood president Eddie McGuire that AFL is underfunded.
With a state election due in November, support for the country's biggest football code could again become a political battleground.
Speaking on his Triple M breakfast show, McGuire called for increased investment for the sport.
"The Victorian government contributes to the AFL less than any other state I think at the moment," McGuire said.
"The economic impact of AFL football in this town blows every other form of entertainment out of the door. There's a lot riding on football in our town, it's the rhythm of the city."
Drum, a former Geelong player who coached Fremantle from 1999-2001, said he didn't know where McGuire was coming from.
"The Victorian Government invests so much money in football," he said, "we have the best stadiums you could possibly hope for in the world."
"I'm constantly on the road talking about our country football-netball program.
"Our contribution to the major infrastructure builds in this state has been phenomenal.
"You've only got to look at Melbourne Park, which is a range of sports, and our investment in the MCG has been very, very strong.
"Our investment in Kardinia Park over the years has been significant."
Minister Drum was speaking at announcement of winners for a competition for school students to design logos for the AFL's multicultural round.
He said the AFL lead the way in teaching children tolerance and to embrace diversity.
"Kids might not have much to do with each other at school but they might love their footy," he said.
"Football tells everybody to get on, to show understanding, to understand each other's different way of dealing with things."
"The AFL needs to be congratulated for the role that it plays in putting its game out there to bring these different communities together."
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