Hands off the SANFL - In what way?

[redandblack]

I agree totally with the sentiments of all of us who don't want interference with our league, but I'm still confused as to what we're actually protesting about.

The WAFL have resoundingly rejected the Reserves proposal and I don't know of anything else that's threatening us, except for the misinformed and irrelevant ramblings of Michelangelo Rucci pushing his own agenda.

So I'm interested in factual reasons why we think there's a threat, as opposed to just anti-AFL rants.

[Sojourner]

Essentially the SANFL being forced to hand over its AFL Licences because Demetriou thinks its a good idea, despite the current situation, we have generated much revenue from that source and we invested heavilly into them to set them up, what we choose to do with them is our business and should not be directed by the AFL to what we do.

- We dont want Reserves AFL sides in the SANFL, it may have been rejected in WA, yet they are preparing for a second attempt in a different format.

- I for one dont also appreciate Les Stevens from the CDFC being stood over by Andrew Demetroiu, Any SANFL club administration offical should be able to put pen to paper and write whatever they so feel like to their members, if we want to hang it on the AFL that is our right to do so and we should be able to do that without any stand over tactics re funding of junior footy in this state.

[CENTURION]

Seriously, We could lose The Magpies to The SANFL........................and we don't REALLY want that, do we.

[Hazydog]

For me it is "Hands off our State Leagues".

I want a stop to the widening gap in standards between the AFL and the State leagues.

As an example - When AFL salary caps are increased to allow the latest pay claims by the Players Association - will State League salary caps automatically increase on a proportional basis? The answer clearly will be NO! In fact they will possibly be reduced.

[Dissident]

I think it's more "Something's happening, or could happen.. I don't know what.. BUT IF YOU TOUCH MY BABY I'LL KILL YOU"

[sjt]

I agree totally with the sentiments of all of us who don't want interference with our league, but I'm still confused as to what we're actually protesting about.

The WAFL have resoundingly rejected the Reserves proposal and I don't know of anything else that's threatening us, except for the misinformed and irrelevant ramblings of Michelangelo Rucci pushing his own agenda.

So I'm interested in factual reasons why we think there's a threat, as opposed to just anti-AFL rants.

I agree redandblack (to an extent). As you said, a lot of discussion is focussed on, and debating Rucci's misinformed ramblings. Most of what he say's, despite having the medium to push his agenda, is not coming to fruition. I think the forum is providing the opportunity to provide the alternate view. At the end of the day, none of what Rucci has stated may eventuate, but I think it's important to put up the perspective of why it shouldn't eventuate. This is why I believe Les Steven's letter was important. It showed our clubs are also attempting to address the misinformation and protect the SANFL (despite it being selectively quoted and twisted later on).
My concern will be if the SANFL is "weakened further" by the AFL. This would come in the form of AFL reserves teams, lowering the salary cap, lessening transfer fees further for local players drafted and at the moment any plans to try to reduce the income of our local clubs.
At the end of the day, it may all be wasted effort as none of the above may eventuate. However, to do nothing and risk it eventuating is too big a risk.

For me, it's more a case of "Protect the SANFL".

[sjt]

I agree totally with the sentiments of all of us who don't want interference with our league, but I'm still confused as to what we're actually protesting about.

The WAFL have resoundingly rejected the Reserves proposal and I don't know of anything else that's threatening us, except for the misinformed and irrelevant ramblings of Michelangelo Rucci pushing his own agenda.

So I'm interested in factual reasons why we think there's a threat, as opposed to just anti-AFL rants.

In answer to the bolded. I think there's a threat because: AFL crowds in SA are dropping, profitability is reducing, the SANFL is gaining strength, perhaps the gap between the SANFL and VFL is widening, the AFL has instigated changes to salary caps, transfer fees and our league structure previously, the AFL's interest is with the success of the two AFL teams not the SANFL, they need a scapegoat or easy target, Rucci is pushing an AFL/Port agenda (sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the oil, loud minority etc), West Coast and Freo had put forward a reserves submission paper, Port and the Crows (this year) have not been as succesfull, potential big change with the Adelaide Oval move and Demetriou seems to show no real concern for "grass roots" football as opposed to the growth of football in non traditional areas, as Mark Riccuito mentioned at the hall of fame.

[redandblack]

Thanks, sjt. I support your actions and comments.

Sojourner, I suppose the point of my post is to find out what we actuaklly are fighting. You've made statements about the SANFL being forced to hand over its licences by the AFL, that they're preparing a second attempt and that Les Stevens (whose letter I support) is being stood over by Demetriou.

Do you have any evidence at all to back any of this up, except for what Mr Rucci has written, which I think is not factual at all?

[Wedgie]

I want West End to get their hands off the SANFL so we can enjoy a decent beer at more than one ground, that's a car sticker I'd buy!

[Booney]

Thanks, sjt. I support your actions and comments.

Sojourner, I suppose the point of my post is to find out what we actuaklly are fighting. You've made statements about the SANFL being forced to hand over its licences by the AFL, that they're preparing a second attempt and that Les Stevens (whose letter I support) is being stood over by Demetriou.

Do you have any evidence at all to back any of this up, except for what Mr Rucci has written, which I think is not factual at all?

*BOOM*

So, they dont believe a word he writes, yet keep reading it.

They dont trust him for a minute, yet base their actions upon the "information" he feeds them.

[Dissident]

I want West End to get their hands off the SANFL so we can enjoy a decent beer at more than one ground, that's a car sticker I'd buy!

POTY

[sjt]

Thanks, sjt. I support your actions and comments.

Sojourner, I suppose the point of my post is to find out what we actuaklly are fighting. You've made statements about the SANFL being forced to hand over its licences by the AFL, that they're preparing a second attempt and that Les Stevens (whose letter I support) is being stood over by Demetriou.

Do you have any evidence at all to back any of this up, except for what Mr Rucci has written, which I think is not factual at all?

*BOOM*

So, they dont believe a word he writes, yet keep reading it.

They dont trust him for a minute, yet base their actions upon the "information" he feeds them.

I guess you have to source information from a number of areas and then try to sought out through the "noise", what may be correct. I believe some of what he writes, it's just how he writes it can create a false impression. Sometimes what he chooses not to write is just as important. What if one day the "information he feeds" is accurate? I don't trust a lot of politicians, but sometimes still have to read or listen to what they're saying.

[White Line Fever]

Are people serious in their view that they don't want the gap to widen in standards between AFL and SANFL?

We want the AFL to be the best of the best.
We want to watch the best footballers in the country play.

The SANFL is a league we can be proud of, but at the end of the day it's the discards of guys not good enough to make it at the highest level.
A few people need to come down from their pedestal of self-importance and look at the big picture.

1. A reserves team is not the death of the SANFL ... yes it will ultimately end up one of the strongest sides, but is that what people are afraid of? That the traditional powerhouses will be knocked off?

2. The Crows & Power are better off financially having an independent license. That's it in a nutshell, the SANFL needs to make do with what's left, as the big picture is making the SA brand in the best league (AFL) stronger.

3. The SANFL will never grow to be a bigger animal than the AFL, we will never be segregate SA footy from the AFL

Who cares about Rucci, think for yourself. The SANFL is a tier two competition. Kids don't grow up wanting to play for the 'Bays'
Emotionally disconnect yourself from the history and look at the path it will inevitably take.

[CUTTERMAN]

There's going to be different perspectives as to what or why people are speaking out for some it will be the AFL trying to take over the 2 licenses or 2 AFL reserves teams in the SANFL.
For me it's a myriad of issues, some being the reserves sides and the licenses but basically I'm sick and tired of the AFL undermining our comp, I want the SANFL to be strong, independent and not dictated to by the AFL and it's own designs, and I want to do what I can to show the SANFL that I'm willing to stand behind that with my hard earned, by being vocal and by being proactive. I want the SANFL to be able to raise the salary cap if they want with no repercussions from bloody Demitriou. I'm sick of it, others are and it's about time we all tried to do something about it! I'm not going to shrug my shoulders and wonder where the hell our comp went in 5 years time.
The question we all have to ask ourselves is what are the issues for you and act on them.

[whufc]

Are people serious in their view that they don't want the gap to widen in standards between AFL and SANFL?

We want the AFL to be the best of the best.
We want to watch the best footballers in the country play.

The SANFL is a league we can be proud of, but at the end of the day it's the discards of guys not good enough to make it at the highest level.
A few people need to come down from their pedestal of self-importance and look at the big picture.

1. A reserves team is not the death of the SANFL ... yes it will ultimately end up one of the strongest sides, but is that what people are afraid of? That the traditional powerhouses will be knocked off?

2. The Crows & Power are better off financially having an independent license. That's it in a nutshell, the SANFL needs to make do with what's left, as the big picture is making the SA brand in the best league (AFL) stronger.

3. The SANFL will never grow to be a bigger animal than the AFL, we will never be segregate SA footy from the AFL

Who cares about Rucci, think for yourself. The SANFL is a tier two competition. Kids don't grow up wanting to play for the 'Bays'Emotionally disconnect yourself from the history and look at the path it will inevitably take.

I cant speak for the bays but i work at an Elizabeth based community centre and the majority of kids i work with dream of playing for Centrals and aspire to be like there school teacher Richard Cochrane, Paul Thomas etc etc.

Alot of these kids in the Northern Suburbs dont get to see alot of AFL, friday night games are on to late, too expensive to be taken to games, cant afford Foxtel so they dont get to see alot of AFL.

[redandblack]

Cutterman, what evidence do you have that the AFL is undermining the SANFL?

[whufc]

Cutterman, what evidence do you have that the AFL is undermining the SANFL?

Serious questions, im not the most up-to-date on these issues.

Was it the AFL that introduce the higher transfer fees between league?

Is the AFL trying to decrease the Salary Cap in the SANFL?

[Dissident]

Didn't/doesn't the AFL want the SANFL to be called AFLSA or something similar?

[CENTURION]

Why is The SANFL board so completely behind & supportive of what is happening at the moment, in respect to the Hands off Our SANFL Juggernaut?

[CUTTERMAN]

For one, they've been pressuring the SANFL to lower their salary cap over the last decade to some success, and it's no secret that they basically want every state comp to be labelled AFL eg AFLSA, AFLWA etc etc once a state league has done this they are promised extra funding for development but along with it will go any real independence for a State comp to determine their own futures. As an example let's say the SANFL and the WAFL wanted to organize a small comp between the two grand finalists from the previous year from each state, at the moment it could still happen but once the AFL has taken over they could block it if they wanted. That's a hypothetical situation I know but it's something I fear is happening. At a time when the AFL are pumping millions into the Power they have a certain amount of leverage against the SANFL, so I see it as a critical time to stand up for our right to keep the SANFL determining it's own future.