New Northern League

[doggies4eva]

Apparently the CEO of the NTAFL has been approached to become the CEO of a new Northern League inlcuding Queensland, NSW and NT.

Seems to be a reserves back-up to the AFL teams coming on-line over the next 2 years.

[doggies4eva]

This topic has not created any discussion!

So SANFL fans are not concerned that there will be another league created which will receive funding from the AFL and may well attract current SANFL players.

Or maybe it will be good to have the minor states developing? I don't know but thought that may be interest.

[am Bays]

I see the link to the article was removed from ntnews.com.au (not that it worked when i tried to read it yesterday).

yes it is a concern but being as close as I can observer of teh NT Thunder team in the QAFL, I don't think we have much to worry about in terms of playing standard. AFL discards are still going to prefer the WAFL, VFL and SANFL as there preferred leage to get re-driftaed. All it might mean is that we miss out on recruits whose orgins aren't from SA.

Would give any QAFL, NSWFL team a 10 goal start over any South and would still be confident of getting my money back.

The AFl can polish a turd only so much to make the Northern League any good.

[Interceptor]

Northern League to boost playing levels for Qld, NSW AFL clubs

* Andrew Hamilton
* From: The Courier-Mail
* July 03, 2010 12:00AM

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/northern-league-to-boost-playing-levels-for-qld-nsw-afl-clubs/story-e6frepf6-1225887283188

THE Lions have thrown their support behind the formation of a Northern League which would have Queensland and NSW's four AFL clubs field reserve grade sides against their state's top second division clubs.

Gold Coast FC will also back the proposal to the AFL when it hits town this week to canvass the issue with the QAFL.

Although originally conceived as a single competition comprising sides from Queensland, Northern Territory, NSW and ACT, the proposal has morphed into a league with two conferences.

The Lions and Gold Coast would compete against Northern Territory Thunder and a selection of the more powerful QAFL clubs including Southport, Morningside, Labrador, Redlands and Mt Gravatt.

The Swans and GWS would play in another conference with a handful of the more powerful Sydney and Canberra clubs.

The winners of the two conferences would then meet in a grand final to be declared northern champions before taking on the premiers from the VFL to be the national second division champions.

The bold initiative is designed to raise the standard of competition the northern AFL clubs reserves compete in and to create better pathways into the AFL for the states' top juniors.

Although the QAFL improves in standard every year, the gap between the strong and weaker clubs is pronounced and the AFL clubs believe they need their younger players facing tougher opposition each week.

The Swans reserves play in the Canberra league where they are only able to field 12 AFL-listed players each week, which means when their injury list is low they face the prospect of having players sitting out matches some weeks.

Even with restrictions on how many players they can field, they regularly win comfortably.

AFLQ CEO Richard Griffith said if the new competition got the green light any local club would be considered for entry if they could meet a minimum criteria to gain entry to the new league, including financial stability and the standard of their playing surface and facilities.

Lions CEO Michael Bowers said his club backed the proposal on the condition it was not detrimental in any way to any existing clubs or competitions in Queensland.

He believed creating an elite second-tier competition would ensure players on the fringe of the AFL would not be forced to head to South Australia, or the WAFL or VFL, to try to gain entry into the big time.

Not sure how they arrive at the winner of the Northern League vs VFL champions match makes them National 2nd div champions??

[FlyingHigh]

Football Teams west of Mildura: Adelaide, Port Power, Fremantle, West Coast Eagles.
Football introduced into Western Australia in 1987, and South Australia in 1991.

[Pseudo]

Not sure how they arrive at the winner of the Northern League vs VFL champions match makes them National 2nd div champions??

Obviously the SANFL (and presumably the WAFL) are better than "2nd division" competitions

[Ian]

Not sure how they arrive at the winner of the Northern League vs VFL champions match makes them National 2nd div champions??

Obviously the SANFL (and presumably the WAFL) are better than "2nd division" competitions

I'd back the top couple of SANFL sides against any side (not in AFL) from NT, QLD, NSW, ACT, TAS, VIC or WA
If they want a true 2nd tier champion all states should be represented.

[doggies4eva]

The top couple of sides in the QAFL are surprisingly strong. They may not beat the top sides in SANFL but I would back them against the bottom couple.

[PhilH]

From SANFL perspective a much better proposal than a National Reserves Competition as touted a few months back.

Glad someone like idea of state league champions going head to head to find a champion.

Having four decent state leagues should also make interstate football every year a better option. Ie when VFL v WAFL, SANFL would take on the new Northern League.

LifeFM roadtrip to Gold Coast for broadcast of SANFL v Northern League ... cant wait

[Big Phil]

From SANFL perspective a much better proposal than a National Reserves Competition as touted a few months back.

Glad someone like idea of state league champions going head to head to find a champion.

Having four decent state leagues should also make interstate football every year a better option. Ie when VFL v WAFL, SANFL would take on the new Northern League.

LifeFM roadtrip to Gold Coast for broadcast of SANFL v Northern League ... cant wait

Sounds great Phil, count me in, I'll drive

I wonder how many Sizzler's and Bakeries are on the way from Adelaide ?

[HeartBeatsTrue]

The top couple of sides in the QAFL are surprisingly strong. They may not beat the top sides in SANFL but I would back them against the bottom couple.

South Adelaide would beat Southport by 10 goals minimum.

[FattyLumpkin]

QAFL = SAAFL + 10%

[doggies4eva]

The top couple of sides in the QAFL are surprisingly strong. They may not beat the top sides in SANFL but I would back them against the bottom couple.

South Adelaide would beat Southport by 10 goals minimum.

Really? what evidence do you have for this statement and why did you choose Southport when Morningside are the reigning premiers?