SANFL needs to change...

[LPH]

I have been thinking... believe it or not.

The whole Port Adelaide saga has got me - particularly with 'Heckle & Jeckle' talking about everyone needing to buy Memberships of the Power, Maggies wanting another $1/4 Million, etc.

Suggestions;

1. End the SANFL @ the end of the 2010 Season - removing 'National' from the title, Sth. Aust. Football League
(afterall, a name change has been done before) - all records (Premierships, Medals, etc. stand upto 2010)
- PAFC & PAMFC keep their 30+ Flags & 140 years of tradition

2. Port Magpies fold (again, has been done before, 'Adelaide FC')
- 8 team SAFL competition begins in 2011; with Final 4, 21 Rounds (each club plays each other 3 times)
- Leaving the AFL team as the sole PAFC

3. SAFL competiton concludes BEFORE the AFL (afterall the AFL GF is the showcase game of Australian Rules, nationally)

4. Remove 'West Torrens' from WWTFC - to become the "Woodville FC"... WTFC & WWTFC go the same way as PAMFC, consigned to history of SANFL

5. Removing the 'Thomas Seymor Hill Trophy' & having a new one - again, confined to the history of SANFL

6. A new Medal - for fairest & most brilliant, again Magarey confined to the history books of SANFL
- dare I say it, The Russell Ebert Medal or the like?

I realise that 'traditionalists' & Port supporters will not be too keen but it is becoming increasingly clear that we can't keep the 2 entities as they are financial burdens on the other clubs.

What do you think?

[devilsadvocate]

That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read.

It's not even April 1

[MightyEagles]

Disagree.
Do we need to get rid of 'National' from the SANFL? I believe it sets us apart, I don't know why, it just does.
Why get rid of Port? The comp will not be the same without them, who will be the team everyone wants to beat. When I grew up it was Port that every team wanted to beat.
We are the best outside the AFL and we should have the GF when we want. What happens if we have it a week before the AFL GF and there is a draw? Have the replay on the same weekend? I think not. As far as I remember, we have always had it after the AFL/VFL.
Why stuff around with our club again? People walked away from the new club when the merger happened, changing it again will more people walk away. CD (Col Davidson) has worked long and hard to get the membership up over 2000 members.
I say keep the cup and the medal.

[Hondo]

LEH it sounds like you are using the PAMFC issue to justify a whole heap of unrelated changes and it's not clear in your post why these are all needed?

I don't think the PAMFC problems are borne out of deeper problems with the SANFL as a whole as you suggest. I think they are unique to Port and the issue needs to be dealt with on it's own without bringing in a whole lot of other unrelated changes at the same time. Otherwise you'll needlessly unsettle the other 8 clubs who should be left out of these Port issues.

[CENTURION]

there can't be a draw, play extra time. As for Port, if The SANFL and the other 8 clubs can't continuaaly prop them up, there will be no choice. I liked John Martins, stiff shit though. 8 teams means no bye, 21 rounds is great as well, play each other at home, away & Footy Park or Adelaide Oval. Love the idea.

[Sojourner]

To remain relevant the SANFL needs to expand the number of teams in it or relocate existing sides so that all suburban areas are represented. Interest in the SANFL will continue to diminish as whole suburban areas are set up such as Mt Barker that have no local representation in the SANFL, those growing areas are where the bulk of young families are, whose children are the potential Footballers in the not to distant future. If the SANFL are hell bent on retaining the SANFL footprint of the 1960's with the exception of South, its very likely to fall over.

Although I dont agree with the content of the OP, I do agree that change is needed very much so. West Adelaide putting the lights up has been the only real injection of life into the SANFL this season which resulted in their home match attendance and $$$ figure pushing upwards. Initiatives like this need to be taken across the SANFL if we are to be actually successfull in maintaining our status over the VFL and the WAFL who are catching up all the time!

[CENTURION]

here's even MORE radical! Move Sturt to Mount Barker, give South more zone to procure players from, re-locate Central a bit further North, into the new Playford Alive precinct, as a land swap with the goverrnment.

[Sojourner]

4. Remove 'West Torrens' from WWTFC - to become the "Woodville FC"... WTFC & WWTFC go the same way as PAMFC, consigned to history of SANFL

What do think?

I am genrally fairly reluctant to ever bring this topic up as it can gain a fairly emotive response from thier members, yet I do agree that you have a point. Its been 17 years, its probably time to talk to the members and see what the mood is for change and what other options might be. Woodville-West Torrens seems a long and akward name for the club despite all the reasons of why the name was chosen in the first place. I have no real suggestion of a new name though.

I think that the colour combination of Dark Green, Blue and Yellow is not the best advertisment for the club either as it looks from the outset as a comprimise. Considering Yellow is the colour both share, I think the club would look very good with the Away jumper that St Kilda once trialled with Yellow, Black and White as their colours, considering that they wear White Shorts anyway the move isnt quite the gulf that it once would have been.

Anyway just a few thoughts and absolutley not meant to enflame any WWT members!

[sjt]

To remain relevant the SANFL needs to expand the number of teams in it or relocate existing sides so that all suburban areas are represented. Interest in the SANFL will continue to diminish as whole suburban areas are set up such as Mt Barker that have no local representation in the SANFL, those growing areas are where the bulk of young families are, whose children are the potential Footballers in the not to distant future. If the SANFL are hell bent on retaining the SANFL footprint of the 1960's with the exception of South, its very likely to fall over.

Although I dont agree with the content of the OP, I do agree that change is needed very much so. West Adelaide putting the lights up has been the only real injection of life into the SANFL this season which resulted in their home match attendance and $$$ figure pushing upwards. Initiatives like this need to be taken across the SANFL if we are to be actually successfull in maintaining our status over the VFL and the WAFL who are catching up all the time!

I don't disagree with some of the above. However see page 13 (club average income), page 16 club memberships and page 18 match attendances from the link

http://www.sanfl.com.au/files/_system/File/PDF ... arking.pdf

I don't believe interest in the SANFL is continuing to diminish.

[FlyingHigh]

4. Remove 'West Torrens' from WWTFC - to become the "Woodville FC"... WTFC & WWTFC go the same way as PAMFC, consigned to history of SANFL

What do think?

I am genrally fairly reluctant to ever bring this topic up as it can gain a fairly emotive response from thier members, yet I do agree that you have a point. Its been 17 years, its probably time to talk to the members and see what the mood is for change and what other options might be. Woodville-West Torrens seems a long and akward name for the club despite all the reasons of why the name was chosen in the first place. I have no real suggestion of a new name though.

I think that the colour combination of Dark Green, Blue and Yellow is not the best advertisment for the club either as it looks from the outset as a comprimise. Considering Yellow is the colour both share, I think the club would look very good with the Away jumper that St Kilda once trialled with Yellow, Black and White as their colours, considering that they wear White Shorts anyway the move isnt quite the gulf that it once would have been.

Anyway just a few thoughts and absolutley not meant to enflame any WWT members!

I reckon the colours are great and go together well, certainly compared to the AFL who are about to let in another club with the same colours as others. Change the jumper (again ) if you want, but not to that monostrosity of ST Kilda's - worse than any of the Eagles guenserys. However the original St Kilda jumper is one of the best going around.

[am Bays]

To remain relevant the SANFL needs to expand the number of teams in it or relocate existing sides so that all suburban areas are represented. Interest in the SANFL will continue to diminish as whole suburban areas are set up such as Mt Barker that have no local representation in the SANFL, those growing areas are where the bulk of young families are, whose children are the potential Footballers in the not to distant future. If the SANFL are hell bent on retaining the SANFL footprint of the 1960's with the exception of South, its very likely to fall over.

Given that the Advertiser Survey has seen a rise in the "strong interest in SANFL" for the past two suverys (33% increase) and a comensurate decrease in the "no interest in the SANFL I am not sure how people can say that is happening - unless maybe they are South supporters.

Seriously with the club metro and country zone boundaries covering all the growth suburban areas it is up to the clubs to make sure with their resources from the SANFL they "Capture the market" Personally i don't see the need to relocate teams.

Given suburbs like Golden Grove and Blakeview which didn't exist in the 60s are now captured by the SANFL metro footprint I reckon the SANFL has done very well incapturing the growth areas of metroplitan Adelaide.

I mean FFS a 20 min drive from 'Dingy (country zone) to Noarlunga (SANFL club base) - how hard is that??

[CENTURION]

PLUS the new suburb of Playford Alive at Munno Para West, 4,500 new homes!

[Magpiespower]

What do you think?

Since you asked...

[PhilH]

Well some interesting thoughts there.

SANFL is the only state league to retain its identity from the pre-AFL days. Even the WAFL toyed with the branding of "Westar Rules" for a few years. Can't see a good reason to change it.


From my perspective as a state league competition the SANFL is doing quite well.

- Crowds at their best since 2002
- yes Westies have played a part in that but are not the only club to have a 10%+ rise this season.

- Membership at highest level in AFL era
- yes Port Magpies blows the figures out but there are other clubs at record levels as well.

- We have a great final four weeks to go before the finals with the Minor Premiership, Double Chance, Fifth Spot, Wooden Spoon and Ken Farmer Medal all up for grabs ... every week there is at least one game (if not more) that grab your attention.

However finances contnue to be an issue for a couple of clubs.

This is not unique in the history of the SANFL or any other sporting competition.

Its the norm in a professional sporting league for a certain percentage to do well financially, a couple to be borderline and a few to struggle. That's because of the competitive nature of the sport, the well off spend more to find success, the rest feel forced to spend to keep up.

The issue for the Magpies (much like West Torrens) is the timing of their financial woes.

For where we have issues is the external environment around the SANFL competition, possibly the most volitile and uncertain since the Crows came in in 1991.

Had Torrens been broke 5 years earlier they may have had the certainty of income stream to make adjustments to get back on track ... but for them in 1990 with the Crows coming in and a massive income drop expected, it was like being two months behind on your mortgage and then having your work hours cut by 40%

Had the Magpies issue not come at a time when
- the Power has been bailed out by the SANFL to the tune of $5m
- very poor AFL crowds (= SANFL stadium returned) from 2010
then their repeated requests for advances may have received a better hearing.

I don't believe the SANFL wants the Magpies gone, after all they have given far more monetary support in the form of advances than recent strugglers Norwood, Sturt and North ever received.

In essence the Magpies want a further advance of SANFL income due. If I was them I would start selling 2011 Memberships now... firstly it's a symbolic statement thet "we will be here next year"... and if the club needs an advance why not get it from the people who have the most to lose from their demise ... their owners, the members.

Make the membership $60 ... if 4,000 of the 7,000+ current members sign up then that's the cash flow in ($240,000) they need to stay afloat. Now there are costs on that and other issues but it buys them the time they need.


On other matters even as a a former Woodville Cheer Squad leader I cannot see any benefit in ditching West Torrens from our clubs identity. We have been Woodville-West Torrens for 20 seasons now.

As for Mount Barker (Adelaide Hills) and Golden Grove it would be good if they had their own team to get behind, maybe a league game played in these areas (aka like South, West & Sturt going country once a year) would be a reasonable first step to enhance those links.

[PhilH]

Finally for mine the move of the SANFL GF to before the AFL GF would be a MAJOR step back.

Competiting with AFL prelim finals (especial if Crows or Power get in) would see a massive drop in media coverage and interest in the game.

That week is the one time the SANFL gets some oxygen away from AFL saturation coverage, there is no advantage to the SANFL in going two weeks earlier.

[MatteeG]

Finally for mine the move of the SANFL GF to before the AFL GF would be a MAJOR step back.

Competiting with AFL prelim finals (especial if Crows or Power get in) would see a massive drop in media coverage and interest in the game.

That week is the one time the SANFL gets some oxygen away from AFL saturation coverage, there is no advantage to the SANFL in going two weeks earlier.

Totally agree Phil.

Having the GF a week later also makes it a real item considered by Vic country clubs on their footy trips....

[Psyber]

I always felt sorry for Torrens who had been a competitive side for years before they folded, so I'd drop the Woodville from the name if there were any change.
I still think the SANFL can't support more than 8 teams unless they start getting some realistic net profit from the second AFL licence.

[Rik E Boy]

I have been thinking... believe it or not.

The whole Port Adelaide saga has got me - particularly with 'Heckle & Jeckle' talking about everyone needing to buy Memberships of the Power, Maggies wanting another $1/4 Million, etc.

Suggestions;

1. End the SANFL @ the end of the 2010 Season - removing 'National' from the title, Sth. Aust. Football League
(afterall, a name change has been done before) - all records (Premierships, Medals, etc. stand upto 2010)
- PAFC & PAMFC keep their 30+ Flags & 140 years of tradition

2. Port Magpies fold (again, has been done before, 'Adelaide FC')
- 8 team SAFL competition begins in 2011; with Final 4, 21 Rounds (each club plays each other 3 times)
- Leaving the AFL team as the sole PAFC

3. SAFL competiton concludes BEFORE the AFL (afterall the AFL GF is the showcase game of Australian Rules, nationally)

4. Remove 'West Torrens' from WWTFC - to become the "Woodville FC"... WTFC & WWTFC go the same way as PAMFC, consigned to history of SANFL

5. Removing the 'Thomas Seymor Hill Trophy' & having a new one - again, confined to the history of SANFL

6. A new Medal - for fairest & most brilliant, again Magarey confined to the history books of SANFL
- dare I say it, The Russell Ebert Medal or the like?

I realise that 'traditionalists' & Port supporters will not be too keen but it is becoming increasingly clear that we can't keep the 2 entities as they are financial burdens on the other clubs.

What do you think?

So you are going to name the medal after a bloke that didn't even play for a SAFL club?

regards,

REB

[Pseudo]

In essence the Magpies want a further advance of SANFL income due. If I was them I would start selling 2011 Memberships now... firstly it's a symbolic statement thet "we will be here next year"... and if the club needs an advance why not get it from the people who have the most to lose from their demise ... their owners, the members.

Make the membership $60 ... if 4,000 of the 7,000+ current members sign up then that's the cash flow in ($240,000) they need to stay afloat. Now there are costs on that and other issues but it buys them the time they need.

Very well thought out post Phil, but the above two paragraphs elevate your post from simply "good" into "completely effing genius". Makes one wonder why Port didn't think of that in the first place.

[Royal City]

In essence the Magpies want a further advance of SANFL income due. If I was them I would start selling 2011 Memberships now... firstly it's a symbolic statement thet "we will be here next year"... and if the club needs an advance why not get it from the people who have the most to lose from their demise ... their owners, the members.

Make the membership $60 ... if 4,000 of the 7,000+ current members sign up then that's the cash flow in ($240,000) they need to stay afloat. Now there are costs on that and other issues but it buys them the time they need.

Very well thought out post Phil, but the above two paragraphs elevate your post from simply "good" into "completely effing genius". Makes one wonder why Port didn't think of that in the first place.

Absolute quality idea Phil.

But its much easier to just ask for money, and mobilise your media cronies if you don't get what you want.