Expansion ?

[HOORAY PUNT]

Reading the takeover of Preston FC in the VFL it got me thinking.I actually think that maybe we could investigate whether some VFL clubs would consider joining our comp to save their identity before that comp means nothing to anyone. I understand there would be lots of obstacles to move but the way the AFL is heading I think it is a potential winner if both State admins have the vision and courage. Just an idea which I think would enhance footy and not destroy it like the current AFL system.

[heater31]

From 2009.....

[Agile]

No from my perspective. SANFL is a state comp and should stay a state comp.To contemplate as you say sounds like "taking on" the AFL and we all know who would win that fight. Like the idea of 10 teams though.

Oh, and let the Vic's screw their own comp up. Could be a bonus to everyone outside of Victoria.

[HOORAY PUNT]

No not a "Take on the AFL" approach.An approach for the betterment of football.

[bayman]

HP, isn't that what the foxtel cup could do anyway ?

[HOORAY PUNT]

Not at all Bayman that comp is a knockout comp .

[tigerpie]

let the vics need look after their own comp.....what the afl do with the vfl is up to them,i dont really care too much.but do we really need or want a vfl team over here just to make it a 10 team comp.i certainly would puke blood if a vfl side took our premiership cup back over there!!!

[Sojourner]

The SANFL was founded with a Victorian side as an inaugural member, Port Melbourne would be a good fit for the SANFL with their history and tradition, benefits to the SANFL would be the elimination of the bye and increased media and public interest in the SANFL. Clearly a financial case would have to be put forward but its hardly the barrier it once was.

[HOORAY PUNT]

I was not looking at just one team by the way.

[Interceptor]

The SANFL was founded with a Victorian side as an inaugural member, Port Melbourne would be a good fit for the SANFL with their history and tradition, benefits to the SANFL would be the elimination of the bye and increased media and public interest in the SANFL. Clearly a financial case would have to be put forward but its hardly the barrier it once was.

Only if they changed their colours

[Pseudo]

The SANFL was founded with a Victorian side as an inaugural member,

You do realise that said club was named Victorian 'coz it was composed of expat Victorians, not because it was based in Victoria?

I'm all for the inclusion of sovereign VFL sides in the SANFL, at least in principle. The devil will be in the details. Interstate travel becomes a necessity and would require sponsorship dollars. Not sure that a quasi-state league could command that sort of money, particularly without television coverage. The AFL might toss some clams in, under the pretext of supporting the so-called grass roots, but this money would not come without conditions. The cynic in me suspects that the AFL would view the incorporation of Vic sides into the SANFL as a budding rival competition, and would in reality take measures to hobble it.

All the same, it would be nice to have a legitimate football-related excuse to visit Melbourne

[CUTTERMAN]

I don't mind the idea of a non SA team in the SANFL but agree thatthe AFL would turn the screws if it happened, but what about a regional team like a Warnambool, Broken Hill or Mildura, the latter being the best fit as we've had a long tradition of players coming from there. Finances and logistics are the killer though.

[FlyingHigh]

Agree with HP, SOJ and Pseudo. If it was one traditional club like Port Melbourne without AFL tainting, then I reckon it would enhance the SANFL's reputation.

My concerns would be:
What would happen to their reserves team? Expensive to fly and extra 20+ blokes for us and them. Or if they played in a Vic amatuer comp, then it would be spreading down the same scenario that lead them to come to the SANFL and that we think is a concern with AFL reserves teams in SANFL.
Could it become the start of more teams looking to come over, perhaps some of the old VFA sides resurrecting themselves, or perhaps Fitzroy, and our comp then becoming a hot-potch of sides.

[Dogsbody]

Only if they changed their colours

Why be like the AFL and its Collingwood buddies?

Clash jumpers, home side gets preference. Easy.