Port Magpies to be dissolved. Is it true?

[aceman]

Not sure about dissolving but they are trying to flex their muscles with lads who have left the club because they were being treated like lepers. Threatening Josh Taylor that if he doesn't return to Alberton this week they will stop him from playing footy for 2 years. Josh left because he felt he was being harshly treated, he'd had enough of training 5-6 times a week and in his opinion not getting a fair go, so he made the choice to leave and play SAAFL.
Now the Magpies are flexing their insipid muscles because they're struggling insisting he goes back and play there.
Not good enough one minute, must come back the next and they will keep him out of footy if need be, utter bullsh^t I say!

[CUTTERMAN]

[b]I would prefer the Power fields a reserves side called the "Port Magpies" in the SANFL.

This goes for both SA AFL teams. There is no way, never, on no terms whatsoever do I ever want to see either team have their own reserves team in the SANFL, this would be an uneven playing field and create alot of bitterness in the SANFL and would kill off the standard of our local comp. I'm stuffed if I'm gonna watch Sturt developed and bred kids play for Power or Crows against Sturt. The end of footy for me.

It was brought up on 5aa on the sports show.It was tried in WA and didn't work. They only place it does is in Victoria with the agreement between the 10 AFL Victorian sides and the VFL.

Any details on that WA experience?
Cutterman, Psyber, (or anyone) would you be able to put together a side on paper showing what a Port Power reserves side would look like? And where the members of that reserves side were drafted from?
I am interested in seeing who comes from interstate and who are juniors in the fictitious reserves side. Obviously a recruit from over the border isn't necessarily draining the depth of the other SANFL clubs, but I don't follow the AFL at all from over here and don't know much about who's on who's list, so I can't even begin to guess about what impact an AFL reserves side would have in the SANFL. Except that perhaps the standard of SANFL being higher than the WAFL, an AFL side's reserves would fit in a bit better?
Anyway, if it is feasible I would prefer they still existed rather than die off altogether, and I'd also prefer that they made the current system work before they become the Power's ressies.

Not sure of the total details Theri but it didn't work and as has been mentioned it caused alot of illfeeling and inbalance in the WAFL. I'm catching up with a Westaussie mate today so I'll ask him of the details.

[Barto]

My dear friends unfortunately the Magpies died back in 1996, 80% of their supporters turned their back on the club

Yup.....and 80% of SA football supporters turned their backs on their own clubs in 1991. Can't just blame Port supporters. Turncoats the lot of them !

Not fussed if people wanted to go along and support the new AFL Franchise, but the "I used to support.." people are the most infuriating of the lot.

[doggies4eva]

My dear friends unfortunately the Magpies died back in 1996, 80% of their supporters turned their back on the club

Yup.....and 80% of SA football supporters turned their backs on their own clubs in 1991. Can't just blame Port supporters. Turncoats the lot of them !

Not fussed if people wanted to go along and support the new AFL Franchise, but the "I used to support.." people are the most infuriating of the lot.

Just to infuriate you Barto, I used to support the Crows (as well as the dogs) but found going to footy park too annoying. I ended up arguing with Crows supporters explaining the holding the ball rule when they shouted "ball" whenever a crow laid a tackle.

[beenreal]

Not sure about dissolving but they are trying to flex their muscles with lads who have left the club because they were being treated like lepers. Threatening Josh Taylor that if he doesn't return to Alberton this week they will stop him from playing footy for 2 years. Josh left because he felt he was being harshly treated, he'd had enough of training 5-6 times a week and in his opinion not getting a fair go, so he made the choice to leave and play SAAFL.
Now the Magpies are flexing their insipid muscles because they're struggling insisting he goes back and play there.
Not good enough one minute, must come back the next and they will keep him out of footy if need be, utter bullsh^t I say!

The club took the same stance with a young John Cahill. From memory I can't quite remember how that turned out.

[Barto]

My dear friends unfortunately the Magpies died back in 1996, 80% of their supporters turned their back on the club

Yup.....and 80% of SA football supporters turned their backs on their own clubs in 1991. Can't just blame Port supporters. Turncoats the lot of them !

Not fussed if people wanted to go along and support the new AFL Franchise, but the "I used to support.." people are the most infuriating of the lot.

Just to infuriate you Barto, I used to support the Crows (as well as the dogs) but found going to footy park too annoying. I ended up arguing with Crows supporters explaining the holding the ball rule when they shouted "ball" whenever a crow laid a tackle.

Nothing wrong with going back the other way. The same happened to me after a couple of seasons of the Crows, but it's different jumping off a new franchise. Seems odd to support a club for most of your life and become a "used to support.." when a team in another comp is formed. It's not like your original team in the SANFL are suddenly gone.

[Hondo]

I've never spoken to anyone who says they've actually stopped supporting their SANFL club

Stopped going to games = yes, in a lot of cases. Stopped support altogether = no-one I speak to. Some have defininitely become more apathetic towards their SANFL team but that's not the same. There's a strong following out there still it's just that not everyone is able to go off to a SANFL game AND an AFL game every weekend plus the media coverage has dropped to basically nothing as we all know.

Remember also, it's been almost a generation since the Crows have come in. The oldest generation from 1990 are disappearing from SANFL crowds and not being replaced by anywhere near the same number of kids.

[am Bays]

Serious question Hondo how many SANFL games have you been to lately?

I reckon one of teh great aspects of our current competion is teh number of kids that go. crikey last years Sturt v Glenelg game you barely move for kids - from both clubs.

Even on Saturday v West there was a bevy of kids - the future generation of SANFL supporters at the Bay oval.

We have to make sure we keep there interest though.

[Dogwatcher]

plus the media coverage has dropped to basically nothing as we all know.

That's bollocks.

[Hondo]

Serious question Hondo how many SANFL games have you been to lately?

I reckon one of teh great aspects of our current competion is teh number of kids that go. crikey last years Sturt v Glenelg game you barely move for kids - from both clubs.

Even on Saturday v West there was a bevy of kids - the future generation of SANFL supporters at the Bay oval.

We have to make sure we keep there interest though.

Yes, there's kids there and that's great. I'm talking about the 11-19 year olds that used to religously go to the SANFL in the 80s, like I did. Just trying to offer up an explanation as why there's less people at games these days. It's not 100% caused by the "turn coats" mentioned in a few posts earlier. Not as many 5-19 year olds going and the oldest generation of pre 1991 supporters are now leaving us. Even with the kids, there's still not same the numbers I remember as a kid. But, at least a lot are still there today. I'll be taking my son once he's old enough to last at least one half!

I agree there's more kids at SANFL games now then there was 5 years ago. We just got to keep them interested once they are old enough to choose what they want to do on a Sat afternoon.

DW - replace "basically nothing" with "a lot less mainstream media coverage to attract new supporters to SANFL than there was pre 1991".

[Wedgie]

In Hondo's defence I assume he goes to more North games than others and we'd have one of the worst kids following in the league. Our average supporter age is extremely high and this has been of concern to me for a long time.

Slightly off topic but a feel good story in regard to kids, was talking to a youngster on Saturday night who was 8 but can't play footy at his school at Taperoo as they don't have footy only soccer.
He was a really nice shy kid who loves his footy so I took him over to meet some Rooster players and the coach and you should have seen his face light up. Cain Ackland went and got a foooty for him so he could get it autographed by the players. Made the kids day.
I'd encourage anyone with kids to take them to meet their clubs players as Im sure players at all clubs would do the same thing.
Little things like that can get kids interested in footy for life.
On a sour note he advised the Power had never even visited his school despite being in their heartland and yet the Crows had, and they wonder why the Power's crowds are falling.

[Dogwatcher]

DW - replace "basically nothing" with "a lot less mainstream media coverage to attract new supporters to SANFL than there was pre 1991".

That's correct.

[Macca19]

The media side of things has picked up again, but when Port moved to the AFL in 97, media for the SANFL for a long time was basically zilch. It did become 'that other league'. But since about 02-03 onwards, the SANFL has marketed itself well and I think the general public are giving it the respect that it definitely deserves and are holding it as a viable option to the plastic/rigid AFL.

[Macca19]

I've never spoken to anyone who says they've actually stopped supporting their SANFL club

Stopped going to games = yes, in a lot of cases. Stopped support altogether = no-one I speak to.

Its rare that people would just completely stop supporting a club, but theres a heap of people, from all 9 SANFL clubs, whos support consists of checking the scores in the paper and who havent gone to a game in years.

As ive said before, next time the Magpies win a flag at the after party ill be able to give those fellow fans a nod and a hand shake that have been there week in week out over the years, as opposed to those whove just rocked up to the GF and think they are the worlds biggest fan.

[Hondo]

I've never spoken to anyone who says they've actually stopped supporting their SANFL club

Stopped going to games = yes, in a lot of cases. Stopped support altogether = no-one I speak to.

Its rare that people would just completely stop supporting a club, but theres a heap of people, from all 9 SANFL clubs, whos support consists of checking the scores in the paper and who havent gone to a game in years.

Yes, that's what I was trying to say. Depends on whether you call "checking the scores" actually supporting your club. It's probably not but those people would say they still barrack for their SANFL team. They just don't go to games anymore. A lot probably don't go to any live footy actually. They watch the Crows and Power on their big screen TV, watch a bit of the SANFL game on Saturday and do other things with the rest of their weekend.

Wedgie's right in that there's not a lot of kids at Prospect Oval games. That's influenced my comments. Obviously there's lots going to other grounds which is great.

[Macca19]

Any details on that WA experience?

From memory they tried it for one year, one of the clubs won the flag so they canned it. Not sure of any more details other than that.

Cutterman, Psyber, (or anyone) would you be able to put together a side on paper showing what a Port Power reserves side would look like? And where the members of that reserves side were drafted from?

This is my crack at a Power reserves side using only Power listed players. Its loosely based around Ports R1 team with a couple of changes, but is generally around the mark. This is if every player was fit and available.

(L) = Local

F: Dawson (L) / M Westhoff (L) / Thompson (L)
HF: M Motlop (L) / Salter (L) / Thomas
C: Davenport / Carr / Krakouer
HB: Broadbent (L) / Trengove / Lower (L)
B: P Stewart (L) / Thurstans / Farmer

R: Giles (L) / Banner / Meyer (L)
I: Lobbe / Laurie / D Stewart (L)

EMG: Redden (L) / Martin (L)

The chances of every player being fit is almost zero. Theres been times at the Power in 02-03-06-08 where there has only been 3-4 players available outside the first 22, similar injury events have happened at the Crows as well. Supp list players would need to be available. Where these come from im not sure, whether its Port Magpies players or maybe State U18 players...I dont know. Youd need about 40 Supp list players in any case.

What they do in the VFL is there is a maximum amount of AFL listed players that can play each week. Im not sure what the figure is, but they need x amount of local players playing in the league side...might be 6 but im not sure on that. Something Graham said which is probably true is that there would be no U18 side, and those zones would need to be reallocated elsewhere.

That side up there wouldnt go close to winning a SANFL premiership...probably wouldnt even make the finals. If I was to add in some Port Magpies players then this would be something maybe around the mark:

F: Salter / M Westhoff / Murray
HF: M Motlop / Perry / Thomas
C: Davenport / Carr / Krakouer
HB: Broadbent / AhChee / Lower
B: P Stewart / Thurstans / Perkins

R: Meiklejohn / J Clayton / Meyer
I: Giles / Summerton / DePasquale

EMG: Lobbe / D Stewart / Elstone

Power Players left over: Redden / Martin / Banner / Dawson / Trengove / Laurie / Farmer / Thompson

Again, it wouldnt be putting the fear of god into other SANFL sides but might make the finals.

In the right way, it would definitely work and I dont think would jeopardise the integrity of the competition. Another option would be that all 'imports' play at the one club, whilst those drafted from SANFL clubs (like Broadbent, Hartlett for example from this year) would stay at their SANFL clubs.

[topsywaldron]

F: Dawson (L) / M Westhoff (L) / Thompson (L)
HF: M Motlop (L) / Salter (L) / Thomas
C: Davenport / Carr / Krakouer
HB: Broadbent (L) / Trengove / Lower (L)
B: P Stewart (L) / Thurstans / Farmer

R: Giles (L) / Banner / Meyer (L)
I: Lobbe / Laurie / D Stewart (L)

EMG: Redden (L) / Martin (L)

This team would spell the death of football for me.

[UK Fan]

Interesting this is brought up one week after chief protestor to the move Matthew Richardson accepts a "specialist position" within the Power.

If you can't beat them,join them I guess.

[Dirko]

Yes, that's what I was trying to say. Depends on whether you call "checking the scores" actually supporting your club. It's probably not but those people would say they still barrack for their SANFL team. They just don't go to games anymore. A lot probably don't go to any live footy actually. They watch the Crows and Power on their big screen TV, watch a bit of the SANFL game on Saturday and do other things with the rest of their weekend.

Wedgie's right in that there's not a lot of kids at Prospect Oval games. That's influenced my comments. Obviously there's lots going to other grounds which is great.

My definition of "Support" is financially contributing to the club in some means whether that's my membership, eating at the Bistro, buying beer from Snouts Bar etc.

If I didn't go to the footy, but checked the scores out and said I go for Glenelg, I'd say I "follow" Glenelg, not "Support" them.

As for the kids, I take my juniors to the footy as do a lot of other Snouts. Perhaps Glenelg Oval is just more kid friendly then Prospect.

[UK Fan]

I've never spoken to anyone who says they've actually stopped supporting their SANFL club

Stopped going to games = yes, in a lot of cases. Stopped support altogether = no-one I speak to.

Its rare that people would just completely stop supporting a club, but theres a heap of people, from all 9 SANFL clubs, whos support consists of checking the scores in the paper and who havent gone to a game in years.

Yes, that's what I was trying to say. Depends on whether you call "checking the scores" actually supporting your club. It's probably not but those people would say they still barrack for their SANFL team. They just don't go to games anymore. A lot probably don't go to any live footy actually. They watch the Crows and Power on their big screen TV, watch a bit of the SANFL game on Saturday and do other things with the rest of their weekend.

Wedgie's right in that there's not a lot of kids at Prospect Oval games. That's influenced my comments. Obviously there's lots going to other grounds which is great.

Think your a SANFL supporter because you check the scores on the weekend.

I check the VFL and WAFL results. That does not make me a WAFL and VFL fan. Supporting the league means contributing to the SANFL financially whether thru patronage sponsorship or membership. Not checking the scores in the Sunday Mail IMHO.

Unbelievable.