Southport Sharks in the AFL

[the joker]

THE AFL intends starting work on a 17th club, based on the Gold Coast, as soon as today after the Kangaroos' final rejection of a move north.

The Kangaroos board last night voted to remain in Melbourne rather than relocate to Queensland, spurning a multi-million proposal from the AFL.

Work will begin "as of today" on a new club, according to AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.

"Now that the Kangaroos have made their decision we now have certainty about what we want to do on the Gold Coast and that is that we can now commence the work around a new team and a 17th licence," he told Southern Cross radio today.

"We certainly wish the Kangaroos well with their plan and now we've got to get on with running our code and growing the code around the country and part of that plan is to take the game to the Gold Coast."

Demetriou said the 17th club would be up and running post 2010, the same time frame the AFL had given the Kangaroos to relocate.

"That could be 2010-11, we've got to work through some issues with the local community and I can assure you there are people as of late yesterday who are working diligently and are very interested in procuring a new licence," he said.

The new club was unlikely to be privately owned, Demetriou said, with the AFL preferring it to be member-driven.

He said the club would play six or seven games at Carrara Stadium and the other games at the Gabba, in Brisbane, sharing the venue with the Lions.

Demetriou said there was no doubt Queensland was ready to support two AFL clubs.

"There's absolutely no doubt it's the fastest-growing market in Australia, plus in western Sydney," he said.

"We've spent probably the best part of two years work on this, it's not something we've just jumped into.

"There's absolutely no doubt after the work we've done with the local community, the local government, that there would be support for a licence and even for a relocated team.

"There's a huge appetite for football there, make no mistake."



He wished the Kangaroos and their new chairman James Brayshaw good luck with their survival in Melbourne, and the proposal to revert to their original North Melbourne name.

"He's keen for the North Melbourne people to retain their identity and if they're not trying to nationalise their brand now and they want to put all of their eggs into this market than we respect that," he said.

"If more people identify with that and sign up as members or sponsors jump on board that's fantastic."

[the joker]

i think 17 teams would be good there would be no weeks off just byes

[stan]

The question is can the kangaroos survive in mebourne?

Let me re-phrase that. Cant the kangaroos survive in melbourne without handouts form the AFL?

Now that is the question.

[the joker]

this is from southports website!!!!!

In 2007 the Club hosts up to 15,000 visitors a week, and has over 40,000 members. The Sharks has definitely become a true community facility for people of all ages

that is almost as many members as the lions... no wonder the AFL wants a team there

[mal]

ST KILDA
They are in line to be the QL team of the future
If they do they will lose me as a supPORTer and I will barrack for a SA based club

[am Bays]

this is from southports website!!!!!

In 2007 the Club hosts up to 15,000 visitors a week, and has over 40,000 members. The Sharks has definitely become a true community facility for people of all ages

that is almost as many members as the lions... no wonder the AFL wants a team there

To use a license club up their you have to be a member (you are allowed two visitors entries then you have to sign up - the same as in the NT)

Membership is $5 PA and is not like membership to a SANFL club or AFL club. Not all of those members will be footy club members either, RL, tennis, cricket, swimming etc many sports up theri are attched to a "sporting club"

[Rik E Boy]

ST KILDA
They are in line to be the QL team of the future
If they do they will lose me as a supPORTer and I will barrack for a SA based club

LMAO. What do you care where St Kilda is based? You're a South Australian FFS. I'll take that back though if you are getting over to Melbourne seven or eight times a year. It might even work in their favour as they get away from the DOOM.

regards,

REB

[Dog_ger]

This could be the beginning of the End for the Kangaroos/North Melbourne..?

Too many teams in Melbourne to survive.

There could still be a move in the future one thinks.

[Psyber]

I'm thinking of buying an investment unit up there so I can barrack for my new local team [except when they play the Crows]. Although, if I eventually retired and moved into it, it could induce me to adopt the Sharks as my primary team.

At least 3 clubs in Melbourne must die eventually if they don't move.

[Andy #24]

At least 3 clubs in Melbourne must die eventually if they don't move.

What do you base that opinion on?

[Wedgie]

Shouldn't we have a thread about the new team from the Gold Coast and not the Southport Sharks.

They'll get next to no people watching them if its just the sharks, it has to (and will be) a completely new entity involving all football clubs in the area. People who follow Broadbeach or Labrador wouldn't follow the Sharks but they would follow a Gold Coast team.

[Barto]

Shouldn't we have a thread about the new team from the Gold Coast and not the Southport Sharks.

They'll get next to no people watching them if its just the sharks, it has to (and will be) a completely new entity involving all football clubs in the area. People who follow Broadbeach or Labrador wouldn't follow the Sharks but they would follow a Gold Coast team.

Just like if Port had gone it alone in 1991. The GC is more than just the Sharks.

Hypothetically, had Port gone it alone, they would have picked up a lot more supporters by now being 17 years after the fact, but could you imagine many of the supporters of the other 9 SANFL teams getting on board as a Port supporter in 1991?

[Dog_ger]

You would have to think......

"Which is the best team in Australia out of the AFL...?"

Go Sharks.....

I think this name was tossed around for the Adelaide AFL team...?

[Barto]

You would have to think......

"Which is the best team in Australia out of the AFL...?"

Go Sharks.....

I think this name was tossed around for the Adelaide AFL team...?

Yeah by The News when they still had a printing press.

[Booney]

Check'em out!

http://www.southportsharks.com.au/ourClub.asp

[Psyber]

At least 3 clubs in Melbourne must die eventually if they don't move.

What do you base that opinion on?

That seems to be the number who are in need of bailing out each year, and to be consistent with the AFL's public comments, over the last 8 years since I have been over here, about the number of teams they think Melbourne can sustain economically. They said more about it in the earlier years when they were pushing mergers, but I think they are just saying less now to avoid flak in the media - nothing has changed.

If they are now seriously considering supporting new teams it must mean they are prepared to stop propping up the old ones.

[TroyGFC]

Check'em out!

http://www.southportsharks.com.au/ourClub.asp

he Southport Australian Rules Football Club is the football heart of the Gold Coast with an off-field reputation just as impressive as its on-field achievements. It is one of Queensland’s leading licensed clubs with ever-expanding facilities and a membership base of over 40 000 people.

Located on the corner of Musgrave and Olsen Avenues in Southport, the Club is a short drive from Surfers Paradise and the golden beaches of the Gold Coast, and is situated just off the Smith St Motorway near Griffith University.

The Sharks moved to its present site on Fankhauser Reserve on Musgrave Avenue in Southport with the help of a sizeable donation from Mr Wally Fankhauser. Construction of a clubhouse began in 1988 and a full-sized football field soon followed.

The club is constantly expanding and improving. In 1998 a $6m Gaming Room and upgrades to the Lounge Bar and restaurant were completed, before the $5m Functions Centre, Carmody’s Grill, and Cocktail Bar became welcome additions to the club in 2000. The recently completed round of renovations introduced a new reception, sports bar, bottleshop, beer garden, and an all new food court and gymnasium, as well as a brand new fantastic kiddies area, 'Wobbygongs!'


There is a rival to the Collywobbles!!
FWIW I went to their club about 16 year ago (?) and it then looked A class, so good luck to them!!

[Interceptor]

Check'em out!

http://www.southportsharks.com.au/ourClub.asp

he Southport Australian Rules Football Club is the football heart of the Gold Coast with an off-field reputation just as impressive as its on-field achievements. It is one of Queensland’s leading licensed clubs with ever-expanding facilities and a membership base of over 40 000 people.

Located on the corner of Musgrave and Olsen Avenues in Southport, the Club is a short drive from Surfers Paradise and the golden beaches of the Gold Coast, and is situated just off the Smith St Motorway near Griffith University.

The Sharks moved to its present site on Fankhauser Reserve on Musgrave Avenue in Southport with the help of a sizeable donation from Mr Wally Fankhauser. Construction of a clubhouse began in 1988 and a full-sized football field soon followed.

The club is constantly expanding and improving. In 1998 a $6m Gaming Room and upgrades to the Lounge Bar and restaurant were completed, before the $5m Functions Centre, Carmody’s Grill, and Cocktail Bar became welcome additions to the club in 2000. The recently completed round of renovations introduced a new reception, sports bar, bottleshop, beer garden, and an all new food court and gymnasium, as well as a brand new fantastic kiddies area, 'Wobbygongs!'


There is a rival to the Collywobbles!!
FWIW I went to their club about 16 year ago (?) and it then looked A class, so good luck to them!!

I went there this year and it is rather impressive, the pokies area is like a mini-Vegas.

The problem for the Sharks is that like Wedgie said, the AFL want (besides the Roos to relocate) a Gold Coast composite team, not a privately owned side promoted from the Qld league.

[Sojourner]

I think that Southport are a good chance of winning the license to compete in the AFL, not unlike how Port won theirs from the SANFL. Their club is the natural choice for the base for the new club, yet I do agree that the other sides should be included, so hopefully with a new name and colours that can be achieved!

[Punk Rooster]

You would have to think......

"Which is the best team in Australia out of the AFL...?"

Go Sharks.....

I think this name was tossed around for the Adelaide AFL team...?

Dolphins for Adelaide, Sharks for Pt Adelaide