Interstate Footy Is Back In 2012

[PhilH]

The attached article in todays Hobart Mercury indicates State Football will be back in 2012.

However if VFL is playing Tasmania, SA must be playing someone else

Stay tuned.



Vics in, ABC TV out for TSL BRETT STUBBS | November 23, 2011 12.01am

THE good news is the TSL will test itself on the big stage against the might of the VFL next season.

The bad news is the state league and its broadcaster have parted company, meaning there will be no live coverage of the TSL from 2012 or beyond.

The SANFL, VFL, WAFL, NEAFL Eastern Conference, NEAFL Northern Conference and the TSL will play a series of interstate games between 2012 and 2017, with Tasmania hosting Victoria next season, on either May 26 or 27.

Although the venue has not been determined yet, there are thoughts of holding the game at Burnie's West Park on the edge of Bass Strait.

"We will certainly look at a number of factors when determining where we take the game and, most likely, the first factor that will come to our mind is where is the most difficult place to play for the VFL?" TSL general manager Shaun Young said yesterday.

"We want to provide our players with the best opportunity to win the game."

Young admitted the task of beating the VFL would be a huge ask for a competition just three years old.

"It is a great opportunity and the players will be very excited by it," Young said.

"Commonsense would tend to tell you it is going to be a little bit difficult to be competitive, but there will be rules and regulations implemented that when the bigger states play Tasmania, it is highly likely there will be no AFL-listed players."

Tasmania has not played the VFL since 1998, when the then TFL defeated the Vics at North Hobart Oval by 35 points under coach Andy Bennett.

Coincidentally, Bennett will be one of the local commentators out of work next season after negotiations broke down between AFL Tasmania and the ABC.

It is understood the ABC asked for almost double the funding, a shorter roster, and for all broadcast games to be at one venue from next season.

It is believed AFL Tasmania paid a little more than $50,000 for the 2011 coverage, but the ABC wanted about $100,000 a season to proceed with the broadcast.

Young said the demands were not possible.

"There was certainly an increase, to what amount I'm not prepared to divulge, and AFL Tasmania wasn't in a position to enter into that commercial arrangement," he said.

"One of the things we liked about the ABC was promoting the competition. However, we couldn't get the product covering the whole of state."

ABC head of TV and sports events Justin Holdforth said negotiations were continuing.

"From our side, we are still in discussions," Holdforth said.

[Big Phil]

Great that it is back, but was looking forward to a LifeFM road trip to Melbourne to take on the Vics.

Ah well, SA might still be playing interstate in 2013, we may still get another road trip.

Look forward to hearing more.

[Pseudo]

Good.

However I hope this does not cause further scheduling issues, given that the Falsetel Cup is going ahead.

Should it come to one or the other, I'd prefer the state game.

And aside: Boo ABC for ditching television coverage of the Tassie league.

[Sojourner]

Sadly I think interstate footy between the VFL and the SANFL has had its day. Compared to when it was for real in the 1980's the matches look lacklustre and forced. Think it needs to be rested for several more years so that the passion can return.

[redandblack]

Good.

However I hope this does not cause further scheduling issues, given that the Falsetel Cup is going ahead.

Should it come to one or the other, I'd prefer the state game.

And aside: Boo ABC for ditching television coverage of the Tassie league.

Don't you like the Foxtel Cup, Pseudo?

Falsetel? Meh.

Fauxtel would have been more inventive

[Pseudo]

Fauxtel would have been more inventive

[Grahaml]

Sadly I think interstate footy between the VFL and the SANFL has had its day. Compared to when it was for real in the 1980's the matches look lacklustre and forced. Think it needs to be rested for several more years so that the passion can return.

Didn't we go to a SOO instead of SANFL v VFL in the 1980s? The latest competitions have been about which state comp is stronger. Bragging rights and a heck of a lot of pride have been on the line which have made it a more serious comp than the later SOO contests. Foxtel cup and State games really can't live with each other though in their current guises.

[Big Phil]

Foxtel cup and State games really can't live with each other though in their current guises.

The respective bosses of the participating state leagues seem to think otherwise !!!!

Iguess we will find out one way or another mid season in 2012.

[RB]

Sadly I think interstate footy between the VFL and the SANFL has had its day. Compared to when it was for real in the 1980's the matches look lacklustre and forced. Think it needs to be rested for several more years so that the passion can return.

I knew something was wrong when the Vics ran out on to Adelaide Oval in 2008 and there were about 3 people booing compared to 40,000 in the 80s. I'd still like to see any State footy back though.

[Harry the Horse]

Nothing quite like the thought of a mouth watering clash between SA and the NEAFL Northern Conference

[gossipgirl]

needs to be state of origin and involving the best players otherwise it is meaningless

[Big Phil]

needs to be state of origin and involving the best players otherwise it is meaningless

Not to the players that wear the State jumper, it's not.

[mighty_tiger_79]

going to be interesting, a team in the foxtel cup may also have a number of reps in the state game

[Wedgie]

needs to be state of origin and involving the best players otherwise it is meaningless

So South Australia wouldnt be involved then?

[SDK]

I agree Phil ....... the only benefit is to the player having the honour of representing his state. Apart from that I think State football is meaningless and personally I could not care less !

[Wedgie]

Maybe look at State Football when/if we don't have a bye, its a waste of money/time in its current format and there's too many weeks off SANFL as it is.
Foxtel Cup is a lot more meaningful IMHO.

[Leaping Lindner]

After the fun we all had in 2005 I'd love to see another State game at Port Melbourne. That was such a great day.
Fat Alberton making friends with the local constabulary being a highlight.

[gossipgirl]

needs to be state of origin and involving the best players otherwise it is meaningless

Not to the players that wear the State jumper, it's not.

not sure about that, so a victorian playing in the sanfl will think it great representing SA in a state game ???

[Big Phil]

needs to be state of origin and involving the best players otherwise it is meaningless

Not to the players that wear the State jumper, it's not.

not sure about that, so a victorian playing in the sanfl will think it great representing SA in a state game ???

I know Chris and James Gowans certainly have, when wearing the SA jumper in the past.

[geppscrossrams]

needs to be state of origin and involving the best players otherwise it is meaningless

Not to the players that wear the State jumper, it's not.

not sure about that, so a victorian playing in the sanfl will think it great representing SA in a state game ???

Any player in these games are not representing a state, they are representing the competition that they are playing in.