JK wrote:On the surface, I absolutely understand why you lads are upset with Meggsy and your club, but I reckon you need to look a little deeper.
I have zero doubt he, like the leaders at most clubs today, would prefer purely SANFL only clubs in the competition. Once that option is taken off the table, as would have been the case here once big brother called that shot, all that can be done is try to negotiate the best $$ deal for those clubs, which is what’s happened. Sponsorship income would comfortably outweigh membership $$. No AFL clubs means channel 7 drops broadcast, without commercial broadcast, how long are the sponsors going to hang around?
I don’t like the current setup and funnily enough neither do supporters of all 10 clubs, but it’s a financial necessity now for most if not all clubs.
I think you’d find if you know Meggsy well enough to have a private chat with him, his own personal preference is likely the opposite to what he’s put to paper here, but speaking out against big brother is Football suicide.
There will be moments of heartburn for all clubs, as there already has been, but the clubs from 34 years ago are all still here and hopefully will be for a while to come.
Just trying to add some balance to the discussions.
Whilst I love your perspective and have nothing but respect JK. I dont believe for a second that the broadcast of SANFL hinges on recruiting rights for AFL clubs in the league.
I don’t recall broadcasting right even being used as an excuse from the SANFL. And we weren’t going to have a funding removed….
It was all about IF I repeat IF port/crows ever went to vfl they COULD hypothetically recruit whoever they like.
Despite the fact port/crows aren’t in the vfl atm how about we cross that hurdle IF it ever eventuates. Plus afl reserves/vfl clubs have been able to recruit players from SANFL as top ups for 20 years (skipworth to bombers vfl the first I recall but could be wrong).
This is one year after the afl clubs got access to under 21 players and father son/academy players. Which was incredibly successful in its inception so why the need for change ??
And why 1 player from each club. why not just 1 player for each afl reserves team plus the new concessions at worse case. Port/crows are more than capable of requesting any sanfl player they are considering to draft to do a preseason with them.
The other thing is the league has just opened a Pandora’s box on access to the leagues best talent. They won’t be satisfied with this given time. You don’t think in the next 12-24 months they aren’t going to ask why only 1 player from each club ?? We have set the precedent on access it’s now just a number argument.
The fact is Edwards and co aren’t paid by afl clubs they are paid by the League/Clubs. The arguments to knock this back by paid employees of the league/clubs would be easier than it is to justify this latest debacle.
Centrals like every club is in a relentless pursuit of a premiership. They aren’t easy. This set up was approved by Edwards a cdfc employee which has simply made it harder for the club in achieving the ultimate goal.
We’d be more of a chance with McLennan than him playing against us.
How this can be even considered is unbelievable
Can’t wait to hear the usual “you don’t understand” bs from Meggsy at the agm as he pretends he knows more than everyone else. It’s so not condescending!!
