SA Footy

https://www.google.com/amp/s/coupler.fo ... e0607dbcb4

he VFL will return with 22 teams from three states next year, including a mixture of AFL reserves, aligned teams and stand-alone clubs, plus the return of a historic Victorian side.

The AFL confirmed on Thursday afternoon the league would run with a 16-round season, alongside the SANFL and WAFL as the highest level of competition below the AFL itself.

The name of the league is yet to be confirmed. In a statement, it was referred to as the VFL and East Coast Second-Tier Competition.

Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong, Gold Coast, GWS, North Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs (as Footscray) will participate in the league.

Three VFL aligned clubs will return - Sandringham (St Kilda), Box Hill (Hawthorn) and Casey (Melbourne).

There will also be eight stand-alone second-tier clubs, with Coburg, Frankston, Port Melbourne, Werribee and Williamstown to continue from the existing VFL.

Aspley and Southport will join the league from the NEAFL while the Preston-based Northern Bullants will return after splitting from Carlton. They were known as the Northern Blues from 2012.

AND. ALL travel costs borne by the AFL.

Seems fair for the other four clubs. I guess they will pay for the other 4 clubs to compete in SA and WA.

22 teams? What a farce of a competition.

Practice game this morning at Box Hill. Quarter time Box Hill lead the Northern Bullants by 19pts.

SOS Silvangi an interested onlooker along with a handful of forward scouts and recruiters in the stands.

Well what a shemozzle that turned out to be.

11 games (for some, 9 for others) in a 22 team competition and the finals based upon winning % order. Really a cobbled together comp that suited no one.

What will become of it next year I wonder - some career ruining decisions await!

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-ne ... 2058999a71