The never ending No AFL in the SANFL whinge thread

[Booney]

LAIRD’S LETTER

The lack of urgency with the current plight of the SANFL is eating at me!

This treasured and history filled competition that has given me and many others decades of memories now sits perilously close to a point of no return.

Clubs which once were the pinnacle of sporting prowess and community pride now solemnly reflect on what once was and stare blankly into a future of dwindling supporter groups and financial stress which if not arrested right now, inevitably could lead to the demise of one of our great ‘Football Clubs’.

‘Scaremongering, and way over the top Laird’, some will idly shrug off. Recently I took particular note of Jeff Kennett’s observations following the removal of 2 traditional Clubs in Burnie and Devonport from the Tasmanian State League. ‘I am worrying about the declining health of football in Tasmania and I lay that at the feet of previous administrators and AFL quite firmly’, he said. Sound Familiar?

Our Clubs’ foyers and hallways are littered with the photos and memorabilia of heroes of yesteryear.

The 1976 shots of Sturt’s Rick Davies sparked premiership over Port, the 1973 team photo with iconic Glenelg men in Kerley, Carey and Cornes, nostalgic 1978 images of the Wynne / Oatey clash and Norwood success and the achievements of the Mick Nunan led Roosters through the 80s and 90s.

I fear a fading appreciation for their and all our past heroes based on the decreasing level of interest and reduction in foot traffic through the doors of our traditional Clubs. What a sad day it would be should our ‘walk down memory lane’ be limited to a visit to the Adelaide Oval and SANFL Museum instead of an appreciation by supporters within our own Clubs.

I am an admirer of sport at its elite levels. The corporate juggernaut and the success of AFL is the envy of all sporting codes in this country. Australian Rules Football would become an even more powerful force if second tier competitions felt they were a valued stakeholder in the game and as a result also rallied behind the AFL competition. That is certainly not the thoughts of many within State Leagues as the strong grow stronger and others are left to fend for themselves, division and AFL sentiment will continue to grow.

Over the past decade, I have had a front row seat to the challenges, disappointments and mental illness of those who have been spat out of the AFL system or missed out on their dream of an AFL opportunity. This highlights the need for a strong 2nd tier competition for these people to feel relevant in their most exciting sporting years of their lives.

Due to the increasing differential in Salary Caps and falling crowd numbers, the mass exodus of players towards lower levels of football will continue increasing the rate of our overall demise.

At this critical junction in our SANFL landscape, those in positions of power must set agendas to one side and be uncompromised in their decision making. Our Clubs must think outside the square in promoting and building new revenue streams, and our supporters must do as they always have, and follow their Club in our ‘Tribal Wars’ and protect our glorious history and revitalise a great competition - ‘WE ARE PROUDLY SANFL’ – lets hope we continue to be!

[Panther Pack]

Love Laird's passion for the league.

I think he should seriously consider getting involved at SANFL headquarters once he decides to step away from coaching.

He would make a great SANFL President.

[Booney]

Love Laird's passion for the league.

I think he should seriously consider getting involved at SANFL headquarters once he decides to step away from coaching.

He would make a great SANFL President.

LOL, no chance the private school boys clubs would allow that, Roy doesn't wear the right tie!

[amber_fluid]

Love Laird's passion for the league.

I think he should seriously consider getting involved at SANFL headquarters once he decides to step away from coaching.

He would make a great SANFL President.

Pfft he’s not a YES man so he’d never get on the board.

[Spargo]

The same reason Gary Metcalf wasn’t “allowed” on the SANFL board - they were shit scared of him too.

[whufc]

Absolutely no chance someone who puts the SANFL clubs and their needs first will ever get on the SANFL board.

[Grenville]

Absolutely no chance someone who puts the SANFL clubs and their needs first will ever get on the SANFL board.

Gillon wouldn't allow it for starters. They much rather crooks like Olsen or sycophants like Chris Davies.

[mighty_tiger_79]

I loves that Rowey mentions it at 5.55pm.....and at the start calls Roy....Rory...

[MW]

I loves that Rowey mentions it at 5.55pm.....and at the start calls Roy....Rory...

He mentioned it around 440 also

[mighty_tiger_79]

I loves that Rowey mentions it at 5.55pm.....and at the start calls Roy....Rory...

He mentioned it around 440 also

Oops. A rare time for me to working...

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[Spargo]

Rowey stands up for the SANFL comp & it’s integrity but has been “silenced” since he said the AFL reserves need to leave the comp.
Bickley, lol, he’s just a Crows happy clapper.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Rowey stands up for the SANFL comp & it’s integrity but has been “silenced” since he said the AFL reserves need to leave the comp.
Bickley, lol, he’s just a Crows happy clapper.

Bickley....everytime this argument comes around he just thinks that the AFL reserves are the saviours of the SANFL....might see if I can get through.....

[darley16]

Love that Roy Laird, great coach and representative of his club and is voicing what we the "great unheard" are thinking and saying but can't be heard in the AFL obsessed media or by a belligerent and gutless SANFL administration.

[Booney]

One comment of Laird's surprises me a little, for some who thinks as he does,

Our Clubs must think outside the square in promoting and building new revenue streams

Does he not think the clubs are, have and will always be doing that?

[johntheclaret]

Rory Lard for president

[Dogwatcher]

One comment of Laird's surprises me a little, for some who thinks as he does,

Our Clubs must think outside the square in promoting and building new revenue streams

Does he not think the clubs are, have and will always be doing that?

I'm sure the clubs think they are.
I think all organisations must continue to do this, even if they think they are.
Progress is better than perfection.

[wild dog]

One comment of Laird's surprises me a little, for some who thinks as he does,

Our Clubs must think outside the square in promoting and building new revenue streams

Does he not think the clubs are, have and will always be doing that?

I'm sure the clubs think they are.
I think all organisations must continue to do this, even if they think they are.
Progress is better than perfection.

He mentioned in his letter "Laird over the top comments" thus he is aware that perception exists. He is acknowledging his detractors repeated sentiment that "we will fix this all up if we think outside the square and find new revenue streams" i.e. he is trying to find some common ground in his thoughtful correspondence. The trouble is his detractors - the elite schooled interbred halfwits who label themselves corporate, political or community leaders - are dismissing the bleeding obvious. If we did think outside of the square, we would be independent of the AFL and make the SANFL a genuine alternative to the current over controlled, corporatised myopic competition that the AFL is.

[Booney]

One comment of Laird's surprises me a little, for some who thinks as he does,

Our Clubs must think outside the square in promoting and building new revenue streams

Does he not think the clubs are, have and will always be doing that?

I'm sure the clubs think they are.
I think all organisations must continue to do this, even if they think they are.
Progress is better than perfection.

He mentioned in his letter "Laird over the top comments" thus he is aware that perception exists. He is acknowledging his detractors repeated sentiment that "we will fix this all up if we think outside the square and find new revenue streams" i.e. he is trying to find some common ground in his thoughtful correspondence. The trouble is his detractors - the elite schooled interbred halfwits who label themselves corporate, political or community leaders - are dismissing the bleeding obvious. If we did think outside of the square, we would be independent of the AFL and make the SANFL a genuine alternative to the current over controlled, corporatised myopic competition that the AFL is.

There's one income stream that works for all sporting codes, sponsorship, but that relies on exposure and with the lack of exposure our competition gets on television and radio means sponsors are walking away in droves.

Maybe getting some actual dedicated media coverage of the competition is the "outside the square" stuff Roy is referring too?

[Dogwatcher]

What, like radio?

[Hazydog]

SANFL says AFL mid-year draft and trade period will hurt local leagues

Warren Partland, The Advertiser


Norwood chief executive James Fantasia has vehemently spoken out against a mid-season AFL draft and claims the negative impact on the game far outweighs any positives for its introduction.

Fantasia said no one begrudged a player’s good fortune in getting an opportunity on the national stage, but he is adamant strong state leagues are critical for the health of the game.

And he is worried a team could miss out on a premiership because of a mid-season decision by an AFL club.

While Fantasia said the Redlegs were bitterly opposed to including state league players in a mid-season draft, he has backed player trades between AFL clubs.

“A mid-season draft could have such a negative affect on a team which equates to financial stability,” Fantasia said. “The impact on what happens at (SANFL) club level is so much greater than the positives for an AFL club.

“This is not about trying to block a career pathway. When a player gets drafted at the end of the year they go with the club’s blessing. But we get an opportunity to replace the player.

“We cannot just worry about under 18 football and the AFL and have a void between them.

“What is critical for the betterment of the game is to have strong state leagues and diminishing them will impact on the game long term.”

The return of a mid-season draft has again raised its head and could be implemented as early as June in a huge blow for state leagues.

Fantasia is well versed to discuss the subject, having had lengthy stints in the AFL in recruiting and management roles.

“It could derail a club’s season,” he said. “Imagine Central District last year losing Nick Holman mid-season and the impact that would have had.”

The Bulldogs lost Tony Lynn to Carlton when a mid-season draft existed in 1994, two years following his club best and fairest award win and the season after being best on ground for South Australia against Western Australia.

Bulldogs chief executive Kris Grant said the loss of Lynn midway through the season deflated enthusiasm at the club.

“There needs to be more consideration for competitions below the AFL and losing one of your best players in the middle of the season has a massive impact, as we know only too well,” he said.

“There are other factors not being considered. The player could be someone we have found a job for, which is not easy.

“All of a sudden the player is gone and that would be frustrating for the employer who could be lost to the club.”

The SANFL, concerned with any change which could disrupt clubs’ lists during the season, has yet to discuss a mid-season draft with the AFL.

“There is a great deal of investment in resource, time and energy, by volunteers, members, players, coaches and staff, that goes into building a list and positioning for success,’’ SANFL general manager football Adam Kelly said.

“While SANFL clubs are invested in both on field success and providing a pathway to the AFL, we would be opposed to disruption during the season.”