Bottom line: Do you support the Foxtel Cup?

[bayman]

i voted no but am not totally against the idea, however i would want the clubs (australia wide) to be guarenteed to make money out of it or at worst not to lose anything & unfortuneately i don't trust the AFL................while they wouldn't do it given the reason they are having it i'd think a preseason competition could be more viable for the clubs, especially clubs hosting the matches as there would be an extra revenue for those clubs

[sapaul]

I voted yes. And I would've loved to see Sturt play in the comp as well.

x2

I didn't word that right at all. I meant that if the Foxtel Cup is supposed to be the best teams around the country that aren't in the AFL, then it's ridiculous that those are the 3 South Australian teams (would need to combine North, Port and South's number of 2010 wins to equal Central's).

You missed the point. South aren't in it.

[jamdog]

Think I read in the Advertiser Friday or Saturday the allocation of prize money is stll to be worked out.
Surely that can not be right.

If it is correct what else is being made up as it goes along. If so, it is no wonder the clubs were reluctant to comit to the competition.

[Pseudo]

I like the concept of a national champions league.

I do not like this particular realisation of the concept.

Would I like to see my mob going toe-to-toe against VFL and WAFL teams? You bet. And if my mob had finished premiers or runners up - and thus deserving of a place in anything calling itself a "champions" league - then I might have been keener on the event. As it stands I'm glad my mob turned it down.

Furthermore I might get more excited about the event if I saw it to be a true "champions" league, representative of the best second-tier teams in the country. However it is difficult to see the event as anything other than an attempt by the AFL to give their darling little boy (GWS) and his kid brother (NT Thunder) some match practice and credibility. Not to mention a further way to squeeze money out of sponsors and telecasting rights. The AFL is NOT organising the show for reasons of altruism.

To my mind the only great shame is that all of North, West and Port said yes - thereby denying the Panthers a crack. I'd have loved to have seen South Adelaide give GWS a pants-down spanking.

[Big Phil]

Interesting question

I suppport the concept.

I also support every clubs decision as they based it on what was best for their club.

I hope to cover it for my various media outlets

But will the AFL allow community radio broadcasts.

I agree Phil, on all fronts...

It is dissapointing that the competitions most dominant club, Central, is not involved but at the end of the day, they chose not to compete for their reasons and so be it.

I, too, hope the AFL allow community radio stations to broadcast it as well Phil, especially for those fans who can't make the interstate games. Nothing like a LifeFM road trip

[Hazydog]

I like it but as with many clubs fear its a one year only competition. With 18 teams next year Foxtel wont need it, hell there is a new TV deal being struck this year and Fox might not even be covering the footy in 2012.

It certainly gets the cynics amongst us thinking this. It could be another way of getting the GWS Giants some competition and get them ready for an AFL entry.

As I've said before- If giving the GWS some game time was the driving force, then why didnt we have a similar comp last season with the Gold Coast playing?

FWIW - I love the concept and find it hard to be critical of the way it has been structured as I see no better way of doing it at this stage. Yes it has been rushed - but that is the society we live in now.

I understand my club's concerns and reasons for not competing, but I cant help but think it is a very conservative approach and wish we had taken on the challenge and embraced it.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

You've pretty much summed up my thoughts on the matter perfectly Pseudo

[The Sleeping Giant]

Nothing like a LifeFM road trip

Start stocking up on Hundreds and Thousands and orange cordial now.

[panthers 2008]

Even being a south fan i support the foxtel cup!
Obviously we never deserved to be there(nor should a bottom placed club).
I am a a proud south australian and will hope all the south aussie teams do really well,and I am actually looking forward to the showdown with Westies playing the Canberra representative.
I think if the prize money was around the half million mark instead of the 180,000 they are putting up,the bigger clubs would have put thier hands up despite the possible set backs it may cause.
I would have loved to see the doggies get a chance to play Greater Western Sydney and smash the stuffing out of them! They will be cannon fodder in this comp, so while they are average it would have been good to see this limp excuse for a team get belted.
So in summary I am dissapointed Centrals, Eagles and Norwood did not take part in this comp.I would have loved to see two SANFL power houses make it to the final.
I am not bagging any of the teams for not taking part as they have every right not to compete and I am sure they have valid reasons.It is just dissapointing for me as I am a huge fan of the SANFL who wants to see our proud strong compettition have its time in the sun!
Lets hope Westies, North and Port can do us proud and one of them go all the way which would seriously make the other comp's look second rate!

[CENTURION]

Even being a south fan i support the foxtel cup!
Obviously we never deserved to be there(nor should a bottom placed club).
I am a a proud south australian and will hope all the south aussie teams do really well,and I am actually looking forward to the showdown with Westies playing the Canberra representative.
I think if the prize money was around the half million mark instead of the 180,000 they are putting up,the bigger clubs would have put thier hands up despite the possible set backs it may cause.
I would have loved to see the doggies get a chance to play Greater Western Sydney and smash the stuffing out of them! They will be cannon fodder in this comp, so while they are average it would have been good to see this limp excuse for a team get belted.
So in summary I am dissapointed Centrals, Eagles and Norwood did not take part in this comp.I would have loved to see two SANFL power houses make it to the final.
I am not bagging any of the teams for not taking part as they have every right not to compete and I am sure they have valid reasons.It is just dissapointing for me as I am a huge fan of the SANFL who wants to see our proud strong compettition have its time in the sun!
Lets hope Westies, North and Port can do us proud and one of them go all the way which would seriously make the other comp's look second rate!

so then, what's the point, if you know that We will beat the crap outta them? Rather concentrate on beating the crap outta other SANFL sides.

[Hazydog]

If GWS cant beat an ACT U/23 side then I think we can assume they are not going to be that strong.

They never were going to be - which makes the claims that the Foxtel Cup was orchestrated for their benefit look silly.

The point is though that some of the other clubs will be very competetive and fixtures against them would generate some extra interest during the minor round.

Lets face it - the usual trip to Richmond in July when we are usually going at 3/4 throttle becomes a bit monotonous. (This probably comes across as arrogant, and I know we have lost there in recent times, but I cant help but feel that we just go through the motions for a while, waiting for the finals.)

Yup - it was arrogant - sorry

[CENTURION]

If GWS cant beat an ACT U/23 side then I think we can assume they are not going to be that strong.

They never were going to be - which makes the claims that the Foxtel Cup was orchestrated for their benefit look silly.

The point is though that some of the other clubs will be very competetive and fixtures against them would generate some extra interest during the minor round.

Lets face it - the usual trip to Richmond in July when we are usually going at 3/4 throttle becomes a bit monotonous. (This probably comes across as arrogant, and I know we have lost there in recent times, but I cant help but feel that we just go through the motions for a while, waiting for the finals.)

Yup - it was arrogant - sorry

Richmond? You mean Dungley.

[panthers 2008]

Centurion, I am sure the dogs would be the best team outside the AFL but why not prove it?
Why not get some national exposure so people elsewhere can see how good the dogs are?
I am not even remotely a dogs fan but would happily watch them play an interstate team.
Remember your club is part of the SANFL, dont you think you have some small obligation to them?
The SANFL premeiership is the aim, but surely a club who has done so well in the last decade would have the fire in the belly to test themselves against the best of the rest?
Obviously you do not believe so but that is simply your opinion and is it in the best interests of the game?

[CENTURION]

Centurion, I am sure the dogs would be the best team outside the AFL but why not prove it?
Why not get some national exposure so people elsewhere can see how good the dogs are?
I am not even remotely a dogs fan but would happily watch them play an interstate team.
Remember your club is part of the SANFL, dont you think you have some small obligation to them?
The SANFL premeiership is the aim, but surely a club who has done so well in the last decade would have the fire in the belly to test themselves against the best of the rest?
Obviously you do not believe so but that is simply your opinion and is it in the best interests of the game?

it's only worth competing if everyone is involved.

[SDK]

Who do Centrals have to prove themselves to ?

I think a lot of you guys and gals miss the point ......The clubs who refused to participate did so because the whole concept was an INSULT to our clubs and League by virtue of the prize money offered. The clubs that accepted this joke of an offer have insulted our League.
I am proud of the clubs that said stick it up your arse and disgusted by those who accepted to disgrace our SANFL

[Dog_ger]

We gotta have this on free to air or it will live a very short life.

[Wedgie]

Who do Centrals have to prove themselves to ?

I think a lot of you guys and gals miss the point ......The clubs who refused to participate did so because the whole concept was an INSULT to our clubs and League by virtue of the prize money offered. The clubs that accepted this joke of an offer have insulted our League.
I am proud of the clubs that said stick it up your arse and disgusted by those who accepted to disgrace our SANFL

You do realise the prize money in the Foxtel Cup is more than that of the SANFL premiership?
Can we expect a press release from Elizabeth soon telling us they've pulled out of the SANFL also?

[CENTURION]

Who do Centrals have to prove themselves to ?

I think a lot of you guys and gals miss the point ......The clubs who refused to participate did so because the whole concept was an INSULT to our clubs and League by virtue of the prize money offered. The clubs that accepted this joke of an offer have insulted our League.
I am proud of the clubs that said stick it up your arse and disgusted by those who accepted to disgrace our SANFL

You do realise the prize money in the Foxtel Cup is more than that of the SANFL premiership?
Can we expect a press release from Elizabeth soon telling us they've pulled out of the SANFL also?

Well, that would make things less BORING this season!

[csbowes]

Who do Centrals have to prove themselves to ?

They don't have to prove it to anyone but themselves, should they wish to...

That said, since they haven't taken up the gauntlet, they can't profess to be the best team outside the AFL...

That is and remains just theory...

I think it's true, but alas I won't be able to point to any positive proof of that...

[csbowes]

I think a lot of you guys and gals miss the point ......The clubs who refused to participate did so because the whole concept was an INSULT to our clubs and League by virtue of the prize money offered. The clubs that accepted this joke of an offer have insulted our League.I am proud of the clubs that said stick it up your arse and disgusted by those who accepted to disgrace our SANFL

I think this is ridiculously harsh...

I certainly don't feel that North, West or Port have insulted the league...

Matt Benson even said he hoped one of them wins it... he's obviously not insulted by them joining...

Clubs made their own decisions...

We can be annoyed with the AFL (more so than Foxtel) about the lack of attention to detail and putting together a competition that lacked any input from the SANFL, WAFL and VFL, each of whom would be major stakeholders in such a cup. The smart thing to do would be to postpone it a year and sort things out obviously, but that hasn't happened.