How much does the SANFL and the WAFL each get?
It seems to me that the AFL wants a single national standard of football. They have control at the top with their treasury coffers, and they are trying to get control from the bottom through Auskick. It's those in the middle they are squeezing - ie the state leagues.
What does their crystal ball show?
I think it is a single football structure with the AFL controlling it all from the top
A single dominant league with smaller feeder leagues who exist solely to provide a stepping stone or a safety net for AFL clubs, rather than leading a healthy existence in their own right.
There was quite an interesting discussion on the 5AA sports show
on Sat morning. A lady rang up and said that these days people wont stand in the rain and watch footy, they expect comfortable sizzling entertainment. She was right in part. That is true for many but not all. The irony is that if the AFL carry on down their pathway to salvation, without assuming full control, they may only end up alienating more supporters than ever and watching them return to suburban footy state leagues. The Power have lost a lot of members but SANFL attendances are growing - why is that? Because people see a quality product in the SANFL, where the entertainment is the game with traditional rules, the atmosphere, the ease of attendance, the family option and the value for money (ie lack of commercialisation).
No SANFL fans will likely say that the AFL doesn't feature quality players and quality play. But it is wrapped up in commercial grade cotton wool, shown to us in a dozen different timeslots, and moulded around broadcasting appeal to attract big $$$ for TV rights.
I cant wait for the 2009 SANFL season.
