AFL not caring about SANFL

[The Sleeping Giant]

Does the $20mill the AFL spent on NSW include GWS?

[Macca19]

And the Swans?

[gadj1976]

This is the fundamental problem for mine;

But the AFL, which spent $1.4 million on game development in SA in 2012 compared to about $20 million in NSW, says it will continue to spend the bulk of its development money in expansion states.

That's why the Australian Rules states are stuffed.

[RustyCage]

I think you are kidding yourselves if you think any extra money the afl gave the SANFL for junior development would ever go towards keeping the likes of Sturt, West or any club afloat

[Barto]

The SANFL has always been a few years behind the WAFL in bending over. More pain to come.

[doggies4eva]

I am not surprised that the SANFL is in the current situation. The major surprise to me is that it took so long. When The AFL was formed some 30 odd years ago it was always going to be the end of WAFL and SANFL as we knew them.

The thing about a crisis is it brings about change. Change that has been resisted by the SANFL and the SANFL public. Whenever I and others have posted suggestions for "increasing the pie" it has been met with a howl based on comments like "I want to be able to walk to my local oval and watch my team".

The Sturt CEO pleading for a bail-out from the AFL is just a waste of breath. Begging is not a good bargaining position. If you want the AFL to take notice you need to have something they want that they haven't already got.

[Dogwatcher]

Has the AFL outlined a clear plan for second tier football in Australia? How does it see the future of the game below the elite level?

[gadj1976]

Has the AFL outlined a clear plan for second tier football in Australia? How does it see the future of the game below the elite level?

That's been my point DW, they haven't. There is no clear path out of this mire for any club located in the second tier.

[dedja]

BOHICA

[The Sleeping Giant]

Has the AFL outlined a clear plan for second tier football in Australia? How does it see the future of the game below the elite level?

That's been my point DW, they haven't. There is no clear path out of this mire for any club located in the second tier.

Why does the afl need to outline a plan?

[doggies4eva]

Has the AFL outlined a clear plan for second tier football in Australia? How does it see the future of the game below the elite level?

That's been my point DW, they haven't. There is no clear path out of this mire for any club located in the second tier.

Why does the afl need to outline a plan?

The AFL have had a plan for years. It is to develop regional comps.

Add Tassie to the VFL. Combine Qld & NSW comps and strengthen them.

The NT fly to Adelaide and ask for admission to the SANFL and get a no, the AFL immediately fly to Darwin and throw $s at them and add them to the NEAFL. SA and WA have played their cards very badly.

[am Bays]

Don't think the SANFL got the chance to say no, They we're invited to play in teh WAFl in 2008 but AFL got wind of it and came up with $$$$ to join the QAFL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_Football_Club

I'll admit to the SANFL being lukewarm to the thought of the NT Thunder joining the SANFL but clearly the AFL didn't want them joining us or the WAFL, hence why they came up with $$$ to prevent it happening.

[Dogwatcher]

Has the AFL outlined a clear plan for second tier football in Australia? How does it see the future of the game below the elite level?

That's been my point DW, they haven't. There is no clear path out of this mire for any club located in the second tier.

Why does the afl need to outline a plan?

The good of the game. A lessening of the standard of second tier comps would ultimately hurt their product, you'd think.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Not if they controlled the 2nd tier comp as well, which would be part of their plan.

[SDK]

Good to see the AFL now have THEIR problems. Appers the buck might stop with AD as some are calling for his head, been there long enough time for a culture change.
The new president should give priority 1 to developing and preserving the local State Leagues who feed the AFL. The current management think of money, money money and nothing else. They think football starts and finishes at the elite level and that nobody cares about tradition and loyalty . WRONG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[doggies4eva]

Don't think the SANFL got the chance to say no, They we're invited to play in teh WAFl in 2008 but AFL got wind of it and came up with $$$$ to join the QAFL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_Football_Club

I'll admit to the SANFL being lukewarm to the thought of the NT Thunder joining the SANFL but clearly the AFL didn't want them joining us or the WAFL, hence why they came up with $$$ to prevent it happening.

It went to a SANFL board of directors vote. They voted no on the basis that NT would be uncompetitive and there would be additional travel costs.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Good to see the AFL now have THEIR problems. Appers the buck might stop with AD as some are calling for his head, been there long enough time for a culture change.
The new president should give priority 1 to developing and preserving the local State Leagues who feed the AFL. The current management think of money, money money and nothing else. They think football starts and finishes at the elite level and that nobody cares about tradition and loyalty . WRONG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wouldn't the new boss's first priority be fixing the problems with the afl?

[Dogwatcher]

Not if they controlled the 2nd tier comp as well, which would be part of their plan.

Well...let's see that plan.

[Dutchy]

It would be nice to think that the AFL would like to see healthy 2nd tier comps that not only provide a pathway into the AFL but out of it also. They need to respect the SANFL as a viable alternative for their delisted 20 somethings that are left on the AFL scrap heap. A strong 2nd tier comp can give these guys direction and employment both in footy and externally, and possibly a way back into the AFL.

Sadly they just see our comp as a development league

[PhilH]

I think if you want to see where AFL sees second tier football the NEAFL or VFL is the example.

ie very AFL branded, mainly there to develop AFL players, handle AFL reserves sides, not be a comp in its own right

Even with the current salary cap its hard for SANFL clubs to stop mature veterans going to the suburban / country.

If it was ever lowered to match VFL, WAFL, NEAFL levels we would as Doug Roberston predicted about 8 years back mainly an U22 comp.