State League Championship on AFL GF Day?

[Wedgie]

Just watching the NRL Grand Final day and they have a new concept this year playing the Queensland and NSW State League Champs against each other as the prelude to the NRL Grand Final.
Now that our season ends a week early it could be a possibility but the downside being we have more state leagues than just 2 like the NRL.
Foxtel Cup is Mickey Mouse but I'm sure Norwood v Box Hill (or whoever won the VFL) at the MCG before the AFL GF especially if the AFL GF became a twilight/night game would be incentive enough with a national audience, big crowd to try their respective guts out.
Could it happen?

[JK]

Don't think it's a bad line of thinking .. Would need to work out ways for supporters of the clubs being able to attend, when AFL GF tickets aren't easy to get hold of (not that the broadcasters or AFL would care whether those supporters were there or not).

[heater31]

Won't Happen. The AFL are too precious about having curtain raisers on the MCG before the game plus how can you decided who plays who? one of the VFL, SANFL or WAFL will be upset that they will be missing out.

[spell_check]

I'd prefer to have the SANFL GF back on its rightful day, the Sunday after the AFL Grand Final

[spell_check]

And loosely related to the SANFL, the NRL Grand Final held the Integrity Cup for the SANFL, with Souths defeating the Bulldogs by 24 points.

PS, I hope the Snouts were watching the celebrations before it was rudely cut off...

[On The Chest]

Won't Happen. The AFL are too precious about having curtain raisers on the MCG before the game plus how can you decided who plays who? one of the VFL, SANFL or WAFL will be upset that they will be missing out.

Plus, they wouldn't be able to fit in the shit pre match entertainment of Tom Jones or Meatloaf. Oh. Hang on.

[Ye Olde Place Kick]

Couldn't see the Vics giving a rats ass about a VFL team playing a SA or WA team considering only 10000 turned up to their G/F.

Another idea that at least may get some interest here in SA is a return of the old Champions of Australia league on the Oct long week end with the Premiers of SA v TAS and VIC v WA on the Sat with the losers playing the early game followed by the winners playing the later on the Monday. May be even a 4 and 7pm starts as it would give Foxtel some thing to televise.

[robranisgod]

Couldn't see the Vics giving a rats ass about a VFL team playing a SA or WA team considering only 10000 turned up to their G/F.

Another idea that at least may get some interest here in SA is a return of the old Champions of Australia league on the Oct long week end with the Premiers of SA v TAS and VIC v WA on the Sat with the losers playing the early game followed by the winners playing the later on the Monday. May be even a 4 and 7pm starts as it would give Foxtel some thing to televise.

The VFL Grand Final drew over 23,000.

I do like your Champions of Australia concept though.

[Ye Olde Place Kick]

Couldn't see the Vics giving a rats ass about a VFL team playing a SA or WA team considering only 10000 turned up to their G/F.

Another idea that at least may get some interest here in SA is a return of the old Champions of Australia league on the Oct long week end with the Premiers of SA v TAS and VIC v WA on the Sat with the losers playing the early game followed by the winners playing the later on the Monday. May be even a 4 and 7pm starts as it would give Foxtel some thing to televise.

The VFL Grand Final drew over 23,000.

I do like your Champions of Australia concept though.

Oops sorry yes got the VIC and WA G/F crowds mixed up. But still don't think the VICS would care. Was there for both the 71 and 72 games of the Champions of Australia and both drew good crowds

[Bounce of the ball]

Just watching the NRL Grand Final day and they have a new concept this year playing the Queensland and NSW State League Champs against each other as the prelude to the NRL Grand Final.
Now that our season ends a week early it could be a possibility but the downside being we have more state leagues than just 2 like the NRL.
Foxtel Cup is Mickey Mouse but I'm sure Norwood v Box Hill (or whoever won the VFL) at the MCG before the AFL GF especially if the AFL GF became a twilight/night game would be incentive enough with a national audience, big crowd to try their respective guts out.
Could it happen?

Speaking of Mickey Mouse.

[PhilH]

I thought the same thing watching the Northern Pride (Cairns) & Panthers running around Sunday afternoon.

The concept seemed to have been a success


The FFA cup has also been a success.


The Aussie Rules comparison the Foxtel Cup, is by comparison an embarrassment to state league football, played by half strength teams in empty stadiums with no atmosphere or interest.

I think there is space for interstate club games

So how would you do it??

[Bounce of the ball]

On AFL GF day you don't and won't.

[Aerie]

The season should end with the most important game of the year, and that is the SANFL GF.

I do like the concept of playing other State Leagues and IMO the only way it would work would be a pre-season competition over and done with in no more than 4 weeks.

[PhilH]

I kind of agree Aerie ...

There is usually a free weekend between the end of the NAB Challenge and AFL Rd 1

So make the Foxtel Cuo more of a pre-season comp.

Play all 4 Quarter Finals of the Foxtel Cup then over this weekend.

Play semi finals over the first AFL Split Round

Play final over the second AFL split round

Play them (except maybe final) where possible at Suburban grounds over a weekend which allow hosting clubs to make some money and thus encourage people to come along. Also avoids this crazy list management arrangments for Tuesday night games.

Still fills a content hole for Foxtel which is what the Foxtel Cup was created for in the first place.

Adds something to the SANFL pre-season which for me is too quiet