A small article from 1986

[spell_check]

This was from mid 1986, Gordon Schwarz wrote it:

Any South Australian who inagined that an extension of the VFL competition would be in the best interests of football should have seconds thoughts. The Victorians are simply using SA and WA to prop up their near destitute competition, as wrtiter Peter Simunovich has confirmed.

Commentating in the Melbourne Sun, Simunovich writes: "The Interstate sides - be it composite or not - will play under VFL laws and regulations and the game should be the same as the one we know. It has been designed to keep the 12 VFL clubs alive, rather than scrubbing them off for the sake of money. More revenue has to come into VFL football, because Melbourne is financially dry and cash has to be generated from the other states. Otherwise at least three clubs will go bankrupt in the next three years. Football, if administered properly, will be better for it, and hopefully all 12 clubs will be around for a long time."

What a sad indictment of the precariuos position of the VFL. What a frank admission of the role expected of SA and WA!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What I would like to know, is why did the WAFL go along with this for? Why did they not work together with the SANFL to at least create a proper national league? The VFL in its state at the time wouldn't have been allowed to throw around a lot of cash to try and upstage it, given the financial status of their league.

I know John Elliott had meetings about a Super League two years prior, how did that fall through? Not enough interest at the time?

[Adelaide Hawk]

I don't know all the workings, but the WAFL didn't enter into it as the SANFL did. The licence for the West Coast Eagles where obtained by private businessmen independant of the WAFL.

Just for the record, there were two VFL clubs against the inclusion of the West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Bears. They were Collingwood and Hawthorn. It's ironic that Collingwood were so against it because financially they have possibly benefited more than any other Melbourne based club from involvement in the AFL.

I bet if Fitzroy had their time again, they would vote against it as well. Trouble is, there were too many VFL clubs who saw it as a way to make a quick buck and never really thought it through.

Norwood were the first club approached by the VFL to join, but they handed it over to the SANFL. Glenelg were also approached, and I assume they did the same. It's only when they approached 3rd choice Port Adelaide that things began to happen.

In retrospect, I wish Norwood had been a little more selfish.

[Interceptor]

As far as I know the SANFL were still holding off until the Port saga forced their hand effectively.
Makes me wonder if Collingwood hadn't voted against them and the other SANFL clubs had failed in their legal fight, how Port's entry would have gone.

Tougher licensing and draft concessions than the Crows got perhaps... Adelaide Oval home games?
All academic now, but the history side of it is interesting.

[smithy]

7 out of the 8 WAFL sides in 1984 were unofficially broke too.

[Mr66]

This is news????

[Adelaide Hawk]

This is news????

No ... which is why it's on the history forum.

[bayman]

I don't know all the workings, but the WAFL didn't enter into it as the SANFL did. The licence for the West Coast Eagles where obtained by private businessmen independant of the WAFL.

Just for the record, there were two VFL clubs against the inclusion of the West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Bears. They were Collingwood and Hawthorn. It's ironic that Collingwood were so against it because financially they have possibly benefited more than any other Melbourne based club from involvement in the AFL.

I bet if Fitzroy had their time again, they would vote against it as well. Trouble is, there were too many VFL clubs who saw it as a way to make a quick buck and never really thought it through.

Norwood were the first club approached by the VFL to join, but they handed it over to the SANFL. Glenelg were also approached, and I assume they did the same. It's only when they approached 3rd choice Port Adelaide that things began to happen.

In retrospect, I wish Norwood had been a little more selfish.

ah, with all due respect how do you know glenelg was approached & handed it to the sanfl ? as my understanding is it was norwood first & port second, i've never heard of any other club being approached, after it was announced & then we had the norwood-sturt application (at least sturtpeter would have been happy) & 'the cartel' at least that's how i remember it

[Adelaide Hawk]

ah, with all due respect how do you know glenelg was approached & handed it to the sanfl ?

Bayman, how do we know anything? I was told this by credible sources, and I'm almost certain that Graham Cornes has also stated similar on the radio. I don't KNOW for certain because I wasn't involved. I also stated I didn't know what Glenelg's stance was after they were approached, but as they didn't take up the offer I am only assuming how they would have handled it.

I'll put it this way, if Glenelg were not the 2nd club approached by the VFL, then it was incorrectly reported at the time.

If you think back to the time, Norwood & Glenelg would have been more attractive options to the VFL as they were very sound financially in comparison to Port Adelaide who were struggling for a dollar during this period.

[Benchwarmer]

I hazily remember as a 12-year old in 1986 people suggesting that there should be an NFL consisting of 12 clubs of the ilk of:

Carlton
Claremont
Collingwood
Essendon
Geelong
Glenelg
Hawthorn
Norwood
Port Adelaide
Richmond
Swan Districts
Sydney

But you can blame those associated with the birth of the Eagles and Bears for what we have. Had WA stuck firm and rejected, we may have had Brisbane and Tasmania.

WA and SA sticking together would have meant that unity meant strength and the calls for a league of 4-4-4 or 6-3-3 (Vic-SA-WA) - or at worst 6-2-2 - may have come about with all of that financial clout still outside the VFL.

[Psyber]

If Port Adelaide had been loyal to the rest of the SANFL it may have been achieved....

[Macca19]

It's ironic that Collingwood were so against it because financially they have possibly benefited more than any other Melbourne based club from involvement in the AFL.

Not always the case though. They were near broke wasting away at Vic Park before Eddie took over. It was Eddie that returned them to the super club off field.

[Macca19]

If Port Adelaide had been loyal to the rest of the SANFL it may have been achieved....

Pure crap.

[Pseudo]

ah, with all due respect how do you know glenelg was approached & handed it to the sanfl ?

Bayman, how do we know anything? I was told this by credible sources, and I'm almost certain that Graham Cornes has also stated similar on the radio. I don't KNOW for certain because I wasn't involved. I also stated I didn't know what Glenelg's stance was after they were approached, but as they didn't take up the offer I am only assuming how they would have handled it.

I'll put it this way, if Glenelg were not the 2nd club approached by the VFL, then it was incorrectly reported at the time.

If you think back to the time, Norwood & Glenelg would have been more attractive options to the VFL as they were very sound financially in comparison to Port Adelaide who were struggling for a dollar during this period.

By 1989 Glenelg was also in poor shape financially. It had debts of over $200000 at this point in time.

Also, from the News, 3 August 1990:

The AFL confirmed today the Glenelg Football Club had not
been involved in any way in discussions to join the AFL.
Rumors circulated widely in Melbourne yesterday that three SA clubs
had sought an AFL licence. Today the AFL communications director, Mr
Tony Peek, confirmed: ``Yes, we have had three approaches from SA football
clubs.'' Newspaper reports yesterday alleged Norwood
had made approaches, but the claim was emphatically denied by the
Redlegs. ``We will confirm we have not had an approach
from Glenelg,'' Mr Peek said. ``There were definitely
three clubs, including Port Adelaide, which made approaches.
``We are not prepared to identify the other teams.
``There was also a business group which approached us early this
season, but there was not much of an option there.
``In May we received notice from the SANFL in
regards to their position - it had not changed. ``From that point the
negotiations were over.''

Make of this what you will.

[Psyber]

If Port Adelaide had been loyal to the rest of the SANFL it may have been achieved....

Pure crap.

Only a closet Port supporter would say that!
Port are actually responsible for the birth of the Crows - I bet they love that.

[Macca19]

The AFL had begun by the time the 1990 events occured.

Saying that a completely new league could have been created if it wasnt for Port is ridiculous.

[Adelaide Hawk]

By 1989 Glenelg was also in poor shape financially. It had debts of over $200000 at this point in time.

Also, from the News, 3 August 1990:

The AFL confirmed today the Glenelg Football Club had not
been involved in any way in discussions to join the AFL.
Rumors circulated widely in Melbourne yesterday that three SA clubs
had sought an AFL licence. Today the AFL communications director, Mr
Tony Peek, confirmed: ``Yes, we have had three approaches from SA football
clubs.'' Newspaper reports yesterday alleged Norwood
had made approaches, but the claim was emphatically denied by the
Redlegs. ``We will confirm we have not had an approach
from Glenelg,'' Mr Peek said. ``There were definitely
three clubs, including Port Adelaide, which made approaches.
``We are not prepared to identify the other teams.
``There was also a business group which approached us early this
season, but there was not much of an option there.
``In May we received notice from the SANFL in
regards to their position - it had not changed. ``From that point the
negotiations were over.''

Make of this what you will.

I wish I could lay my hands on articles and documents from the Norwood Football Club which proved they had never made an approach to the VFL, but in fact had an approach made to them by the VFL. My memory is extremely hazy as it was too long ago, but if necessary I could contact Wally Miller who will definitely know the details.

It had something to do with a letter on Norwood FC letterhead which was proven later to be a forgery. There was a lot of clandestine activity at the time and it was difficult to know what to believe. I will stand by my original thought that Glenelg were approached as I am about 95% certain Graham Cornes mentioned it one evening on 5AA.

If I get some time tomorrow night I'll look through my papers to see if I can find anything more.

[Psyber]

The VFL hierarchy would have lied - they still do as the AFL!
"City Homicide" this week was a good insight into club politics as they are in this era, just as the play "The Club" was for its era.

[JK]

Ian Collins approached Norwood on behalf of the VFL back in the early 80's, around 1982 I think, they also met with Port Adelaide at the same time although the Pies were feeling the strain financially back then.

Those of us not directly employed by the clubs at the times can only ever speculate, but it sounds far more like the VFL did either all or the majority of "approaching" clubs in pursuit of a saviour for their league and traditional clubs.

[Magpiespower]

Then SANFL General Manager Don Roach approached the VFL in 1981 about entering a South Australian side in the VFL.

But got rebuffed.

A 12-team breakaway league was proposed in a secret meeting at John Elliott's mansion in 1984. But since most of the clubs were in dire straits financially, it was never gonna fly.

Then there's the infamous 1985 South Park Motor Inn meeting between Port, Norwood and VFL officials...

[Adelaide Hawk]

Then there's the infamous 1985 South Park Motor Inn meeting between Port, Norwood and VFL officials...

This is the part I'm hazy on .... please tell me more about that.