AFL not caring about SANFL

[JamesH]

If the league in its current form is no longer viable then it has to change & people will have to accept that. The AFL has no repsonsibility to 'save' the SANFL - the SANFL were actually the ones who pissed their money into the wind (poor Max must be furious).

If the SANFL is proactive now it may be able to avoid a total take over as with the VFA/VFL. Clubs would be smart to check out how Port Melbourne, Williamstown & Claremont intend to operate teams of the same quality on a much smaller budget.

Crazy idea maybe the SANFL should develop local players instead of importing them.

[JamesH]

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.

The VFL & WAFL are not second to the SANFL by any means......
Go to the SANFL HQ and see what a second rate organisation it is for yourself

[Mickyj]

If the league in its current form is no longer viable then it has to change & people will have to accept that. The AFL has no repsonsibility to 'save' the SANFL - the SANFL were actually the ones who pissed their money into the wind (poor Max must be furious).

If the SANFL is proactive now it may be able to avoid a total take over as with the VFA/VFL. Clubs would be smart to check out how Port Melbourne, Williamstown & Claremont intend to operate teams of the same quality on a much smaller budget.

Crazy idea maybe the SANFL should develop local players instead of importing them.

My only querry would be are there enough players in SA to sustain the SANFL as you suggest James.
I understand there will be guys like Scott Lewis etc out there .but are there enough to go round for all the SANFL clubs !!

[JK]

If the league in its current form is no longer viable then it has to change & people will have to accept that. The AFL has no repsonsibility to 'save' the SANFL - the SANFL were actually the ones who pissed their money into the wind (poor Max must be furious).

If the SANFL is proactive now it may be able to avoid a total take over as with the VFA/VFL. Clubs would be smart to check out how Port Melbourne, Williamstown & Claremont intend to operate teams of the same quality on a much smaller budget.

Crazy idea maybe the SANFL should develop local players instead of importing them.

Fair post, and I agree that change is required and that the AFL shouldn't be looked upon to bail out either the competition or any of it's clubs.

However, I do also believe that the AFL as custodians of the game have an obligation to work with other competitions to try and sure lowered tiered competitions can be allowed to flourish as the benefits will ultimately flow through for all competitions.

I guess the difficulty there is that the AFL would want a say for their investment, and most SANFL people want to try and keep the competition as independent as possible.

The bottom line is though, as you have said, SANFL clubs need to live within their means.

[Mickyj]

[quote="JK
The bottom line is though, as you have said, SANFL clubs need to live within their means.[/quote]


Thats it in a nutshell well written JK

[Jimmy_041]

Claremont FC have a revenue of around $2.15m

[Look Good In Leather]

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?

Purely a breeding ground for AFL players, nothing else.

The eventual aim is to get all state leagues to become u/23 competitions. They have already written "league football" out of history, now they just need to finish it off so there is no potential competitors, or any noise to hamper their message.

[Aerie]

As a few have said, the uncertainty surrounding the future of the State leagues makes it hard to know what is the right way to go forward. The AFL should declare their hand on what they want from the SANFL, the SANFL should declare their hand on what they want and then how they will go about making it happen. If the vision the SANFL has on the SANFL is different to that the AFL has on the SANFL then the SANFL need to work hard on coming up with a solution that works for the SANFL.

For me, most important is the current clubs surviving (Port Magpies included if they really want to). Second is the quality of the competition (get the best players possible/play on the best grounds available). Third is how the competition is presented both in the way it is marketed and the rules.

If we can keep the current clubs and entice/produce the best players outside of the AFL I can't see there not being a market for the SANFL independent to that of the AFL.

[StrayDog]

Clubs would be smart to check out how Port Melbourne, Williamstown & Claremont intend to operate teams of the same quality on a much smaller budget.

Rumours were pretty strong mid last year that the Seagulls and the "Western" Bulldogs were having marital issues over when and where the children could play.
Any further development on this?

[topsywaldron]

Be nice to see some leadership from the SANFL about where they see the comp in a few years but I don't fancy our chances.

I'd imagine a lot of people who post on here contribute greatly to their clubs, as volunteers or as members/ sponsors, and it's pretty galling that the views of the people who go and keep the SANFL alive aren't listened to or taken into account when the future is discussed.

[StrayDog]

^^
Nicely put.

[JK]

As a few have said, the uncertainty surrounding the future of the State leagues makes it hard to know what is the right way to go forward. The AFL should declare their hand on what they want from the SANFL, the SANFL should declare their hand on what they want and then how they will go about making it happen. If the vision the SANFL has on the SANFL is different to that the AFL has on the SANFL then the SANFL need to work hard on coming up with a solution that works for the SANFL.

For me, most important is the current clubs surviving (Port Magpies included if they really want to). Second is the quality of the competition (get the best players possible/play on the best grounds available). Third is how the competition is presented both in the way it is marketed and the rules.

If we can keep the current clubs and entice/produce the best players outside of the AFL I can't see there not being a market for the SANFL independent to that of the AFL.

As always, great post Aerie .. This is exactly it!

[DOC]

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.

The VFL & WAFL are not second to the SANFL by any means......
Go to the SANFL HQ and see what a second rate organisation it is for yourself

The VFL is second to the SANFL by every means and by any standard.
How does visiting a building show you the competence of the organisation?

[doggies4eva]

There are a lot of good posts on this site and I am enjoying reading them.

The question must be put - Can the SANFL survive in its current format?

On the surface as there are 3 clubs in serious difficulties and 7 of the 9 reporting losses I would have to say that something will need to change for me to say yes.

I don't think that this change will be the AFL bailing out the SANFL. What is needed as others have aluded to is a business plan that is compatible with the plans of the AFL. Unless we are really advocating becoming a rebel group and breaking away from the AFL and I don't see that as tenable. After all the main assets of the SANFL are 2 AFL licences and a football stadium that relies on those 2 teams to fill.

[PhilH]

I never said that the VFL & WAFL were second rate ... just that they have lower salary caps... which they currently do.

The thing with the SANFL Salary Cap is that I am pretty sure it has not increased in some time.

Anyone with a house or wage will tell you that if it is not increasing in value and just staying the same, you are going backwards.

My concern is that the gap between the elite and the second tier is forever widening at what appears to be an exponential level and I can't see it stopping in the immediate future.

[topsywaldron]

After all the main assets of the SANFL are 2 AFL licences and a football stadium that relies on those 2 teams to fill.

Within a year none of those things will be true, it's how the SANFL realise the asset that is Footy Park and what they do with the subsequent money is more the question.

Recent history suggests they'll r**t it up royally.

[dedja]

Agree 100% ... probably your most sensible post on this site, well done.

[topsywaldron]

I feel vindicated.

[doggies4eva]

After all the main assets of the SANFL are 2 AFL licences and a football stadium that relies on those 2 teams to fill.

Within a year none of those things will be true, it's how the SANFL realise the asset that is Footy Park and what they do with the subsequent money is more the question.

Recent history suggests they'll r**t it up royally.

Yes the Adelaide Oval move is a good point. I would be interested to see the SANFL business plan post Adelaide Oval.

Presumably there will be an improved cashflow situation. What are they planning to do with the additional revenue?

[topsywaldron]

Since they signed the deal of a lifetime with the taxpayers of South Australia, the SANFL have seen their debt levels increase sharply (thanks to Beenreal's mob) and seen the valuation of Footy Park plummet, thanks to the worldwide economy. What was once a huge potential surplus to chuck in the bank and run the comp off the interest has now turned into a few coins floating about under the couch cushions. I'm sure they'll be able to run a thriving and successful comp with those though.