AFL Reserves Discussion...

[heater31]

C7 believe Trigg will soften his "8-0 or nothing" stance.

Gutless by Steven Trigg maybe he should nominate for Federal Parliament with actions like that. Erodes the integrity of the SANFL then even erodes any integrity that he had left after the Kurt Tippett Scandal

[csbowes]

I still think it will be 8-0.

Sturt... an absolute disgrace... talk about holding your members in complete and utter contempt.

To not even feign like you give a s**t about their views is just the height of arrogance.

But you know what, the members put up with it, so what can you expect.

Reap what you sow...

[smac]

What I've been hearing for the last week is a 7-1 vote in favour. The only club to vote no is South Adelaide.

You've heard wrong.

What happened to the other quote smac,looked interesting?

Twas a tapatalk **** up.

[geppscrossrams]

This from WAFC Director.

LEAGUE DIRECTOR REPORT: AFL RESERVES IN THE SANFL
15/08/2013 5:33:39 PM



Under the SANFL Constitution, as a League Director I am bound to make decisions that in my opinion are in the interests of the encouragement and promotion of football in accordance with the objects and rules of the SANFL.

Following lengthy and protracted discussions regarding the entry of the Adelaide Football Club into the SANFL League competition and after receiving feedback from both Board and club members I have decided to vote to support the entry of the Adelaide Football Club into the SANFL.

Four Guiding Principles were established at the first meeting held between the SANFL Commission, League Directors and CEO’s.
1: Integrity
2: Relevance
3: SANFL & SANFL Club viability
4: Game development

The integrity of our competition has been severely compromised for years now with the constant movement of AFL players between their respective AFL clubs to and from their assigned SANFL clubs. This has had an unfair and major influence on many game results over the time. This has also been a constant problem at finals time each year where the AFL clubs have allowed some players to continue through the SANFL finals race and yet placed other players in for early surgery etc. This can also have a major and unfair impact on a SANFL clubs finals chances.

Future relevance to both the SANFL competition and the SANFL clubs (in particular in the next 3 to 5 years and beyond) is at considerable risk if we disconnect with the AFL clubs.

If the vote was to not allow the AFC into the competition they will enter their Reserves team into the SA Amateur Football League. This is not a threat but a reality as the AFC have clearly stated that they cannot afford to play in the VFL or any other interstate competition and will have a Reserves team in 2014 regardless of our decision. This would have a serious impact on our SANFL clubs and competition.

The risks are clear in that by not having control over the rules and regulations (that the AFC play under) there could be serious implications eg: open recruitment of players and football staff from SANFL clubs, poaching existing SANFL club sponsors and lack of Media focus on the SANFL competition to name a few.

Rightly or wrongly the media are obsessed with the AFL and would turn their focus away from the SANFL if we do not retain an AFL connection.

By allowing the AFC to enter the SANFL, the rules and regulations setting out the conditions of their entry will be totally controlled by the SANFL clubs and the SANFL Commission through a sub-committee which will determine all of the finer details to ensure the SANFL clubs are fully protected.

Below is a list of important rules and regulations that have now been clarified by the SANFL Commission.

PLAYER REGULATIONS AND SUPPORT STAFF STRUCTURE

Top Up players – leadership player

• AFC can contract one ‘leadership’ player per season.
- 28 years and over, must have been on AFC AFL list.

Top Up players – other

• SANFL Clubs can opt in / out of providing top up players to the AFC.

• SANFL Clubs must make the decision on in /out by November 1st.

• Should SANFL Clubs chose to opt in, they agree to always have a minimum of 2 players available
for selection for the AFC.

• These players will be;
- 18 – 22 years old, on an SANFL Club list.
- Cannot play against the player’s home SANFL Club.

SANFL League Finals qualification

• No qualification criteria for AFL listed players during the SANFL finals series when the AFC is still involved at AFL level.

• Should the AFC not be involved at AFL level, a player must have played the majority of his Football at SANFL level, or 3 of the last 5 games at SANFL level to qualify.

• AFC would not qualify for SANFL Finals prize money or appearance fees.

Competition commitment

• AFC to commit to ‘playing to the line’.
- Will not rest players and take up elective surgery options.
- SANFL doctor to provide 2nd opinion on surgeries before end of season.
- Will commit in writing of these points, to be in Club and head coach charters.

Support Staff

• AFC to commit to not recruiting support staff directly from SANFL Clubs.

Home Venue

• AFC will not have a home venue; will play as away team throughout the minor round.

COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE

Commitment & Licence Fee

• 15 year term, reviewed annually by the SANFL.

• 12 month notice period for SANFL & SANFL Clubs to terminate agreement.

• AFC to pay an annual licence fee to the SANFL for their involvement in the SANFL League Competition with CPI increases for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

• Licence fee to be reviewed at the end of the 2016 season, with CPI increases a minimum for subsequent seasons.

Branding

• AFC support team to be branded Adelaide Football Club.

• AFC support team not to wear Crows style home AFL guernsey in the SANFL but can wear a Crows alternate guernsey.

• Guernsey to be approved by the SANFL in line with existing regulations.

Media

• AFC to generate interest in SANFL Competition and other SANFL Clubs through media activation, social media and website.

• AFC to assist SANFL in securing partners for commercial TV broadcast. The three year deal with the Seven Network provides considerable commercial opportunites for SANFL clubs and their sponsors compared to the previous restricted non commercial ABC arrangement.

Community Engagement

• AFC to commit to working with SANFL Clubs (Should the SANFL Clubs opt in) in promoting pathways to the AFL.
- In lead up to SANFL games, AFC will help promote the game in tandem with the SANFL Club within their promotional zone.
- AFC to provide a Home Match speaker (player / official) to the Club that they are playing against in the SANFL competition.

COMPETITION STRUCTURE

SANFL Fixture

• Focussed on maximising attendances for SANFL teams

• 25 week season from start to end; Start date to be set once AFL fixture is known

• 18 minor round matches over 21 weeks

• 1 bye for State Game

• 2 split rounds (one of these to coincide with Foxtel Cup Grand Final)

• 10 home matches per Club

Salary Cap

• SANFL to confirm salary cap at existing levels for 2014.

Magarey Medal

• AFC players would be eligible to win the Magarey Medal.

State representation

• AFC players would not be eligible for State Game representation.

Drafted player fees

• SANFL to revisit drafted player fees to SANFL Clubs, to include payments for rookie listed players that remain in SA on either the AFC or PAFC lists.

In summary the decision has been very difficult considering that it is an emotive issue and either way will impact the competition but it is important for the future good of South Australian football and the viability and relevance of our clubs and the competition moving forward.

Thank you to all members who have provided their feedback and comments by phone, email or letter.

The WAFC sincerely appeal to members to embrace the change (if it receives the go ahead) and continue to be the passionate and loyal members of the West Adelaide Football Club that you have demonstrated to be over a long period of time.

Thank you for remaining committed to the WAFC direction through your continued membership and support,

Paul D Sperling
WAFC League Director

[saintal]

I wonder if Olsen helped Sperling write that? Almost as pointless as Sturt's document.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

That letter to WAFC members pretty much provides answers to what I've been keen to know all along.

I'm now willing to 'embrace the change'.

[saintal]

Im led to believe Joe is a steadfast NO and if the decision was his own it would be a definate NO.
Unfortunately he is outnumbered by other pissweak, gutless board members who are pro Cows.

According to the speech given by Chiggy (and also from what I can gather was said at the North and Eagles meetings) the directors must vote independently of their clubs in the interests of football in SA according to the constitution. Chiggy made it very clear that it had to be HIS decision as a director and not a club decision. So in theory at least, you shouldn't blame other board members for any change in Norwood's stance.

But who knows what you can really believe...

South made it very clear it would be a Board decision made in consultation with the Director Peter Alexander.

[Dutchy]

Breaking news: Crows will be in the SANFL in 2014 #brightfuture more soon

From AFC twitter

[smac]

Technically, it is the individuals decision. I'm sure there's some "vote this way or you're no longer our President" conversations at board level.

[TimmiesChin]

6-2 vote was result apparently.

[Dutchy]

6-2 vote in favour of crows to play in sanfl... Official pressers shortly... More to come @9NewsAdel

[The Sleeping Giant]

Is anyone surprised Trigg isn't standing by his word. How long has been back in the job?

[saintal]

Breaking news: Crows will be in the SANFL in 2014 #brightfuture more soon

From AFC twitter

I can only hope South voted NO for some minor amount of cold comfort. Trigg you lying &^*%. Olsen no better.

I couldn't help but imagine the look of satisfaction on Mr Media Burtenshaw's mug when he typed that, and now I feel even sicker.

[Dutchy]

Centrals / South are the No voters

[rod_rooster]

I knew it was coming but the realisation that it is official is just gut wrenching. It's now actually real

[RB]

Sickening that an AFL seconds team could be in the SANFL. Just sickening.

[heater31]

Breaking news: Crows will be in the SANFL in 2014 #brightfuture more soon

From AFC twitter

I can only hope South voted NO for some minor amount of cold comfort. Trigg you lying &^*%. Olsen no better.

I couldn't help but imagine the look of satisfaction on Mr Media Burtenshaw's mug when he typed that, and now I feel even sicker.

X2

RIP SANFL

[Mic]

Really depressing news.

Much respect to South and Centrals. At least you have a board you can be proud of.

RIP SANFL.

[RB]

Olsen: Although the vote was 6-2, the league directors were unanimous that they wanted the transition to be smooth. WTF

[Gozu]

Officially announced by Olsen on ABC News, vote was 6-2.