SA Footy

AFL takeover of VFL labelled 'a danger to footy culture'
Wed, 25/03/2009 - 08:45 — NorthPort
From the Herald Sun
Reported by Damian Barret
Source - Superfooty Website

THE AFL's bid to control football in Victoria could destroy the state's senior competitions, according to a long-time VFL club president. Williamstown boss Trevor Monti says the AFL should stop trying to run the VFL after it failed to receive enough votes to do so at Monday night's VFL annual meeting

VFL clubs say the AFL wants to replace it with a new secondary competition whose teams would be based on the eastern seaboard.

"It is a radical change that they (the AFL) are seeking, and it will seriously erode the fundamental basis on which football in this state has grown, and been developed, and been supported," Monti said.

"The VFL is part of the cultural history of Victoria, and it stands now to slowly wither on the vine and die.

"We, along with other VFL clubs, are very concerned about what is being proposed by the AFL, as it attempts a complete and total takeover of all Victorian football."


boys i took this off the vfl site & i think it makes interesting reading considering we are supposedly getting the same message & i'm glad for once in my life that the vfl stuck it up them

The AFL won't be happy until they've completely stuffed up footy.

HE AFL has failed in its bid to take over much of the running of the Victorian Football League.

At the VFL's annual general meeting last night, the AFL's push for increased control of the state league — including the composition of the board — was voted down.

VFL advocate Phil Cleary said last night he was pleased with the result.

"I think it's great that the VFL have shown some real courage," he said. "There will be a number of clubs within the VFL who probably broke ranks but maybe this little stoush with the AFL will build some solidarity. Who knows where it will take VFL?

"The VFL does represent localities; it is that, but it's a win to the extent that it should remind people that they can stand up to the AFL. The AFL absolutely needs the people to survive."

The AFL is reportedly considering an eastern seaboard reserves competition under its controversial expansion plans.

Cleary said he did not believe the vote would signal the end of the issue.

there is another report above

Adelaide Hawk wrote:The AFL won't be happy until they've completely stuffed up footy.

agree 100%....i notice in reading the forums the vote was 16-15 in favour of the afl's takeover plan which tells me that they'll try again

bayman wrote:

Adelaide Hawk wrote:The AFL won't be happy until they've completely stuffed up footy.

agree 100%....i notice in reading the forums the vote was 16-15 in favour of the afl's takeover plan which tells me that they'll try again

Did they need a two thirds majority to get it across the line?

wycbloods wrote:

bayman wrote:

Adelaide Hawk wrote:The AFL won't be happy until they've completely stuffed up footy.

agree 100%....i notice in reading the forums the vote was 16-15 in favour of the afl's takeover plan which tells me that they'll try again

Did they need a two thirds majority to get it across the line?

i'd presume so but not sure of exact figure....memo to leigh & co DO NOT SELL US UP THE RIVER

The then VFA was pretty popular in its' own right back in the 70s and 80s; you only need to have a look at some of the VFA footage on Youtube to see that. Yet another competition who despite being radically AFLised still has clubs like Port Melbourne, Williamstown and Box Hill to remind everyone of the suburban rivalries that once existed there.

The VFL/VFA may have won this battle, not sure they've won the war...

1980 Tassie Medalist wrote:The VFL/VFA may have won this battle, not sure they've won the war...

yeah i agree tas as i posted earlier...had the final vote been 27-4 different story but 16-15 says to me that 'with sweetners' that the vote will change at some point unfortuneately, just hope we don't get sold up the river in adelaide