Merge to survive

[whufc]

There won't be another merger in the AFL.

Relocation is always an option but highly unlikely.

Only markets left to pimp are Canberra and Tassie.

Not much in it for clubs to go there at the moment - maybe down the track.

Reakon fifty years from now we'll have a 20-club comp with the AFL's expansion plans bringing in teams from NZ and South Africa.

Sounds crazy now...

Dont reckon they will have a crack at an NT side at some stage.

[Dutchy]

We have had this argument many times Hondo.

Port are getting $9m from the AFL, not to mention the $5m from the SANFL and thats on top of the $3.9m that you mention above.

I know

But if you ranked the top 4 clubs for handouts over the last 20 years I think NM would be in there somewhere which is why they keep coming up when handouts are discussed.

As said, I don't think NM should relocate or merge and that's not what I thought 5 years ago I admit.

I think it is important to retain and support all existing clubs in any competition even if it means 10 of 18 teams come from one state. We can't change it now so let's support what we have I reckon. NM fans are as important as Collingwood fans even if they are a smaller group.

Lets be clear, NM have never rec'd a handout/bailout from the AFL. The funds they get are simply the result of the equalistation fund that allows all the fat cats to play twice a year to generate revenue for the AFL.

[Hondo]

Dutchy, if they didn't get the equalisation payment would they would need a bailout? if so, what's the difference. Just terminology.

Remember of the $9m given to Port, $6m is a loan. NM catch up the other $3m on Port over the next 3 years.

[Booney]

I think it is high time the AFL got rid of regional based teams and to give GWS a heads up they should merge Geelong and GWS.

GWS Cats based in Blacktown.

[best on hill]

There won't be another merger in the AFL.

Relocation is always an option but highly unlikely.

Only markets left to pimp are Canberra and Tassie.

Not much in it for clubs to go there at the moment - maybe down the track.

Reakon fifty years from now we'll have a 20-club comp with the AFL's expansion plans bringing in teams from NZ and South Africa.

Sounds crazy now...

i think the next expantion for the AFL are tassie, canberra then a side in north queensland (caines or townsville) maybe one in the NT to make it truely an australian fooball league.

[gossipgirl]

merge geelong and north melbourne ... you know it makes sense

[Dutchy]

Dutchy, if they didn't get the equalisation payment would they would need a bailout? if so, what's the difference. Just terminology.

Remember of the $9m given to Port, $6m is a loan. NM catch up the other $3m on Port over the next 3 years.

OK dont give us the payment but we will take Port draw of 12 home games against Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton, Richmond every year and we wont need it!

You dont seem to understand how it works...

And you think Port will pay the $6m back?

[Booney]

Dutchy, if they didn't get the equalisation payment would they would need a bailout? if so, what's the difference. Just terminology.

Remember of the $9m given to Port, $6m is a loan. NM catch up the other $3m on Port over the next 3 years.

OK dont give us the payment but we will take Port draw of 12 home games against Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton, Richmond every year and we wont need it!

You dont seem to understand how it works...

And you think Port will pay the $6m back?

Can we get 16+ games in Adelaide then?

Of course you will draw more to a Roos v Collingwood game in Melbourne than Port would here. Obvious.

[Hondo]

OK dont give us the payment but we will take Port draw of 12 home games against Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton, Richmond every year and we wont need it!

Do Port play these teams at home every year? I'm sure they'd like to. Well, 3 of them.

[Wedgie]

merge geelong and north melbourne ... you know it makes sense

Great idea! With horizontal and vertical stripes merged we would have blue checkered tops and could get our guenseys from BigW!
Only danger would be even more Port supporters leaving the Power as they'd be decked out in the merged clubs clobber already!

[GWW]

How many of the Victorian clubs would still be around now if they weren't propped up by the license fees from the Eagles etc 25 years ago.

I believe most VFL clubs at the time were broke. I'm not sure the then VFL let the new clubs in, out of the goodness of their heart.

[Dutchy]

Dutchy, if they didn't get the equalisation payment would they would need a bailout? if so, what's the difference. Just terminology.

Remember of the $9m given to Port, $6m is a loan. NM catch up the other $3m on Port over the next 3 years.

OK dont give us the payment but we will take Port draw of 12 home games against Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton, Richmond every year and we wont need it!

You dont seem to understand how it works...

And you think Port will pay the $6m back?

Can we get 16+ games in Adelaide then?

Of course you will draw more to a Roos v Collingwood game in Melbourne than Port would here. Obvious.

How would 16 games in Adelaide help you if only 12 are home (revenue generating) games?

[Rik E Boy]

I think it is high time the AFL got rid of regional based teams and to give GWS a heads up they should merge Geelong and GWS.

GWS Cats based in Blacktown.

The Cats with eleven of the first ten draft picks? Where do I sign?

regards,

REB

[Adelaide Hawk]

How many of the Victorian clubs would still be around now if they weren't propped up by the license fees from the Eagles etc 25 years ago.

I believe most VFL clubs at the time were broke. I'm not sure the then VFL let the new clubs in, out of the goodness of their heart.

West Coast and Brisbane both paid $4M to join the VFL. After the VFL took their cut, and equally divided amongst 12 clubs, it doesn't exactly leave enough to sustain a football club.

All clubs would still be around today in one form or another, even Fitzroy. Most VFL clubs were interested in an AFL for national exposure. Hawthorn and Collingwood were the only 2 clubs to vote against an expanded VFL.

As for mergers, forget it. Either a complete takeover (ala Brisbane and Fitzroy), or it just can't happen.