Should the AFL be running Australian Rules Football?

[Aerie]

Despite what the AFL will have us believe through their "branding", AFL and Australian Rules Football are most certainly two different things.

You only have to look back 30 years with the VFL and VFA as an example of how Australian Rules Football was the game, but they were two different competitions with a different set of rules. Who was to say which was better?

There is no disputing the AFL have turned the game into the biggest sport in Australia, but, at what cost? How far will they go? How far can they go? At the moment it would seem they can go as far as they please.

We have seen more rule changes in the past three years than when the game was first invented. We have state associations being called "AFL". We have "AFL" Auskick. We have the AFL determining how a State of Origin competition will be run. We have a contrived fixture dependent on what will make the most money.

Should the AFL be running Australian Rules Football or should an independent committee oversee the game at all levels and ultimately make decisions based on keeping the sport, a sport, where everyone gets a fair go?

Big business came from the game. The game didn't come from big business.

[JK]

Super League breakaway anyone?

[heater31]

Super League breakaway anyone?

Yep Adelaide, Port, WCE, Freo, Brisbane and Sydney only though the rest can get stuffed

[Hondo]

Should the AFL be running Australian Rules Football or should an independent committee oversee the game at all levels and ultimately make decisions based on keeping the sport, a sport, where everyone gets a fair go?

Aerie, I think you are a focussing too much on the negatives there. You know the AFL Commission don't run the SANFL, WAFL or any other comp around the country other than the AFL?

Sounds like you want some sort of more socially-responsible approach to the management of the game which is nice. But I reckon if you researched it, you would find the AFL are probably doing more than you realise to support and develop the game. The best way to ensure Football stays alive and relevant in Australia is if the national game is financially successful, then the funds can filter down.

IMO don't set up yet another layer of red-tape/committee on top .... if the Commisssion aren't doing what you think they should then change the committee members, don't create ANOTHER commission.

[Wedgie]

It was much better in the old days when the NFL/NFC were the overseeing body until the VFL decided to take it over.

A proper national comp with them overseeing it would have been ideal but it was more advantageous to the VFL clubs to take over the sport.

[Aerie]

Aerie, I think you are a focussing too much on the negatives there. You know the AFL Commission don't run the SANFL, WAFL or any other comp around the country other than the AFL?

Sounds like you want some sort of more socially-responsible approach to the management of the game which is nice. But I reckon if you researched it, you would find the AFL are probably doing more than you realise to support and develop the game. The best way to ensure Football stays alive and relevant in Australia is if the national game is financially successful, then the funds can filter down.

IMO don't set up yet another layer of red-tape/committee on top .... if the Commisssion aren't doing what you think they should then change the committee members, don't create ANOTHER commission.

They may not run the SANFL/WAFL etc. but if they decided they wanted to do something (i.e. create bigger lists to make way for a reserves competition) these state leagues would be in a hopeless situation. I guess I'm questioning the integrity of the current commission. Perhaps another commission would solve it.

It was much better in the old days when the NFL/NFC were the overseeing body until the VFL decided to take it over.

A proper national comp with them overseeing it would have been ideal but it was more advantageous to the VFL clubs to take over the sport.

Yes, I think this would be a better system.

[Hondo]

Yes, can't argue with the question about the VFL turning themselves in to the AFL.

On that point, it's not until this season with Demetriou commenting on the need to assist the Victorian clubs that I have felt the VFL bias coming back. I thought Wayne Jackson did a great job of keeping a 'National' focus which it must.

[Psyber]

I'm pretty sure Telstra/Foxtel are running Australian Rules Football, and they should be stopped!

[smithy]

It was much better in the old days when the NFL/NFC were the overseeing body until the VFL decided to take it over.

A proper national comp with them overseeing it would have been ideal but it was more advantageous to the VFL clubs to take over the sport.

Not much difference Wedgie, The NFL had 14 voting members of which 10 were from Victoria,1 from SA, 1 from WA, 1 from Tassie and 1 from ACT or something to that effect.

[Benchwarmer]

So long as the controlling bodies in SA and WA don't go down the same line as the states that sold themselves out ... AFL SA and AFL WA would sound so undignified. Even Football Victoria changed their name to AFL Victoria!

[Magpiespower]

Super League breakaway anyone?

What is John Elliott doing these days?

[giffo]

Wasn't it the AFL that set the salary caps for the various state leagues with the SANFL being set lower than the VFL to try to deter players leaving Vic and weakening their second tier comp?