Please try not to see the word 'mercenary' as having overtly negative connotations.
It is simply a description of a paid professional who goes into battle with or for locals at a price or benefit.
I see the system forced upon us as being at fault, not so much the players who are unfairly told where to go.
Are true blue, heart felt, local talent more effective when push comes to shove and the going gets really tough ?
Personally, I think the old 'State Of Origin' standard proves this point beyond any and all argument.
People loved going to these games to see their very own men do battle with those from other SANFL clubs.
That's where the mega-crowds used to be !
Could more local content help the falling standard of the un-AFL and help positive Crow/Power outcomes ?
At local SANFL clubs, a couple of imports become locals very quickly and often for good. Are there just too many
'ring ins' at un-AFL clubs to get excited about, thus a huge drop in parochial crowd interest and numbers ?
IMHO Victoria simply MUST be made to produce their own talent. With 4 or more times the population of some other states
they have no right whatsoever to pinch interstate players. Indeed, they should be supplying a glut to non Aussie Rules
states in the so-called AFL, with SA and WA only supplying their own player numbers.
Cheers to all responders. Maybe my disgust of all things 'pretend-AFL' suggests I should return to SANFL threads only.
Sorry to impose.
