SANFL and NT...again!

[Dogsbody]

Mick McLean in line for NT's coach's position!

From the Messenger 9/1/08...

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Territory's Magic touch
By Reece Homfray

Legendary coach Kevin Sheedy has declined an offer by the AFLNT to spearhead its new team in an expanded SANFL competition next year. But the 60 year old has made a verbal commitment to "mentor" the side as it ventures south. The Northern Territory's bid to join the SANFL in 2009 is fast gaining momentum.

It secured 75 percent of the funding -- about $1.3 million per year -- to enter the competition and AFLNT boss Tony Frawley will start talks with his Adelaide counterpart Leigh Whicker within weeks. The NT will also meet with the West Australian Football League about joining its ranks, but SA looks the front-runner. News reports from the NT suggest providing the SANFL is happy, it is a done deal. "There's no doubt there are very strong synergies, contacts and history between Adelaide and NT footy. That's very obvious," Frawley said.

Whether the NT becomes the SANFL's 10th team rests with the competition's nine clubs that will vote on the proposal -- possibly at the league's AGM in March. Frawley confirmed no decision had been made, but the NT's current state colours of ochre, black and white would be considered. While Sheedy ruled himself out of coaching the new side, former AFL star and two-time NT coach of the year Michael "Magic" McLean is interested. McLean -- who played 183 games with Footscray and Brisbane -- was an assistant coach to Leigh Matthews at the Lions from 1999 to 2000.

Last season he coached Southern Districts to its first NTFL premiership in nine years. "I would certainly be interested (in coaching)," McLean told Messenger Newspapers. "I came back to Darwin to be a part of launching the NTFL into a major competition. And now it has stuck its head out again, there's a fair bit of interest." This year McLean is helping run a football academy in Darwin that aims to improve school attendance of young indigenous boys.

Frawley said the NT would look across the country to find the "best person" to coach the new team and McLean would be considered. He said the approach to Sheedy about coaching was made "tongue in cheek". "We wanted to sound him out and Michael Long was there when we asked him just before Christmas," Frawley said. "And he has given us a verbal commitment to mentor the new coach, help launch the concept and take a keen interest in the team."


$2.5m Federal Funding - check.
$1m State funding - check.
$1.5m AFL funding - check.
SANFL approval (pending vote of the nine SANFL clubs - waiting!

[topsywaldron]

SANFL approval (pending vote of the nine SANFL clubs - waiting!

Will the nine clubs ever vote for something that reduces their turnover by nearly 20%?

[Ian]

Will the nine clubs ever vote for something that reduces their turnover by nearly 20%?

I hope so, most of the clubs have now got, or are in the process of getting their financial act together.
A 10th team will not only get rid of the bye, but will rejuvenate interest in the competition.
I for one would look forward to a trip Darwin or Alice Springs if not every year, every 2nd year...............bring it on.

[HeartBeatsTrue]

If they are to have their proposed 12 home games, in an 18 round season, then I'm against it. Even in a 22 round season I'll be against it. Should be 50/50 home and away.

[Ian]

Should be 50/50 home and away.

I'm sure most if not all 9 SA clubs would want that as a condition of entry if the bid was to be accepted. Ideally it would be a 22 round season with Alice & Darwin alternating the extra home game year about.

[HeartBeatsTrue]

Should be 50/50 home and away.

I'm sure most if not all 9 SA clubs would want that as a condition of entry if the bid was to be accepted. Ideally it would be a 22 round season with Alice & Darwin alternating the extra home game year about.

A 22 round season wont be easy to program with one side from NT. 4 SA clubs will need to play NT 3 times. Which 2 travels to NT twice? Which 2 hosts NT twice? Will there be any "neutral" games at Adel Oval or Thebarton?

[Wedgie]

I just hope the North game's in Darwin, hate to go to Alice, would be like a hot Elizabeth.

[Dirko]

I just hope the North game's in Darwin, hate to go to Alice, would be like a hot Elizabeth.

With you there, the thing is the games would have to played at night one would think, to counteract the wet season, humidity, etc etc.
Our teams may struggle with say going from a 12 degree day, freezing winds, up to a 30 degree day, with 90% humidity, and tropical downpours...

[TroyGFC]

I wonder how this will all work out with players also having full-time jobs elsewhere as i am guessing a game in Darwin would have to be say a few days before game up there to get used to temp and conditions and a day off before flight home. game has to be Saturday night then IMO.
I for one am really hoping it goes ahead and will book my annual leave around it to give myself a week touring around Darwin. If Alice fly in fly out as FA to see up there when seen it all before!!

[MagicKiwi]

This seems to be the most positive news about the NTFL yet as far as rumours go. It could really come about. I think it will rejuvenate the SANFL no end and I welcome it.

[Ian]

With you there, the thing is the games would have to played at night one would think, to counteract the wet season,

I don't think that will be a problem, I can't see the SANFL changing to a summer season, which is when the wet season is up North

[smac]

With you there, the thing is the games would have to played at night one would think, to counteract the wet season,

I don't think that will be a problem, I can't see the SANFL changing to a summer season, which is when the wet season is up North

Very true!

I recall playing a game up there in a mates side to help out with numbers and couldn't work out why all the players were putting electrical tape on the outside of their shorts like a belt. Half way through the third quarter I was running with the ball and had to hold up my shorts with one hand and bounce the ball with the other as I had lost a stack of weight through sweating so much.

I'm still unconvinced about NT entering the SANFL, could do more harm than good I reckon.

[Sean]

I just hope the North game's in Darwin, hate to go to Alice, would be like a hot Elizabeth

Hey ease up there Wedgeman. There are parts of Alice where your car doesn't get torched!!

[Dogsbody]

Friday and Saturday night fixtures will be the norm in the Top End, I reckon. Hopefully a TV deal can be made for games in Darwin to be shown live, or a live slot on ABC-2 through the Territory Sport show which usually showcases NTFL.

[Dirko]

With you there, the thing is the games would have to played at night one would think, to counteract the wet season,

I don't think that will be a problem, I can't see the SANFL changing to a summer season, which is when the wet season is up North

Oops getting my seasons mixed up ! Still bloody hot though during the Dry. 30 and sunny !
I'd assume they'd play at Marrara, I wonder how the cricket pitch would go ?

[Dogsbody]

TIO Stadium is pretty well equipped for warm weather, with their cool rooms that were first used in 2003... besides, night matches should ease the temperature a bit to mid 20's.

[Wedgie]

I see in today's paper that North and Port would object to AFL players of NT descent who play for the Cows or Powder being alligned to the NT side.
3 sides of the story here:
1) The SANFL sides should try to make the NT side a success for all parties long term benefit so I wouldn't have a problem with the NT getting these players
2) SANFL sides that have heavily invested in players from the NT (most notably North recently and at the moment) probably shouldn't be made to suffer by spreading their horizons and promoting the SANFL in the NT more than other sides.
3) I don't think its going to be an issue anyway as I couldn't see Port or Adelaide having their players play in Darwin or be alligned to a NT side for logistical and player welfare purposes.

[Dogsbody]

Here's that article, from FoxSports.com.au.

Roosters, Magpies fend off NTFL
By Zac Milbank (found on FoxSports.com), January 11, 2008

NORTH Adelaide and Port Adelaide have vowed to retain their AFL-listed players targeted by a proposed NTFL side. NTFL chief executive Tony Frawley says the league will raid Peter and Shaun Burgoyne, Andrew McLeod and Daniel Motlop, wanting them aligned to the Territory if it enters the SANFL in 2009. "We want the NT players to be available for the Territory if they don't play with their AFL club," Frawley said this month in the Northern Territory News . "That's seven ex-NTFL players based in Adelaide and we're saying to the league (SANFL) that we want them to play for us."

The three other AFL-listed players on Frawley's hit-list include Trent Hentschel, Tom Logan and Marlon Motlop. As negotiations between the NTFL and the SANFL begin this month, the Roosters and Magpies have declared they want their AFL-listed stars to stay in South Australia. The SANFL is understood to be the frontrunner, ahead of the WAFL, to have the proposed NTFL team enter its league next year. "We certainly wouldn't let any of them go and we certainly don't think they will be forced to go," North operations manager James Moore said.

Port chief executive Matthew Richardson, noting the benefits his club received when Gavin Wanganeen fronted for the Magpies in 2006, was equally defiant. "And I would have thought the players would need to be consulted, they can't just be made to go," he said. "We'd still consider those guys (Burgoyne brothers and McLeod) Port Adelaide (Magpies) players." SANFL players not on AFL lists, with NT backgrounds, are also expected to be enticed north and Richardson noted Magpies full back Corey AhChee would come on the radar. Charlie Sharples (Sturt), Joel Campbell and Josh Cubillo (North) could also be lured home.

[doggies4eva]

SANFL approval (pending vote of the nine SANFL clubs - waiting!

Will the nine clubs ever vote for something that reduces their turnover by nearly 20%?

How did you work out that club turnover would drop by 20% topsy?

Have a look at the average club revenue and you will change your mind.

[mal]

Over 100 years of tradition, its our competition not another states.