New AFL teams for Sydney & Gold Coast

[Hondo]

As reported on NineMSN:

AFL Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick has told Fairfax newspapers the national competition intends to expand from 16 to 18 clubs, with a new team on the Gold Coast in 2011 and another in western Sydney a year later.

The newspaper says Fitzpatrick has held talks with all three AFL television broadcasters - Ten, Seven and Foxtel - along with the Nine network to signal the AFL's intention to expand by 2012.

[Mr66]

Mike Fitzpatrick was the instigator of the 'hands in the back' rule, so that
would suggest how much credibility this dill has.

[Psyber]

Mike Fitzpatrick was the instigator of the 'hands in the back' rule, so that would suggest how much credibility this dill has.

I heard commentators in Melbourne today saying they now think it had improved the game and players were adapting.

[Andy #24]

Mike Fitzpatrick was the instigator of the 'hands in the back' rule, so that would suggest how much credibility this dill has.

I heard commentators in Melbourne today saying they now think it had improved the game and players were adapting.

Are you kidding! It's just another one of the nuances that made our game great gone by the wayside. Did Robert "half wit" Walls say that?

[GWW]

Why not increased it to 20, a nice round number

Seriously increasing the number of clubs to 18 is a joke, and there shouldn't be more teams in the Northern states until more Victorian clubs roll over. I'd say the talk about the Gold Coast and West Sydney clubs entering is more to do with reaching certain targets for Dumbetriou and therefore getting him a nice little pay bonus.

[Ian]

With that many sides, it's time to split the comp into 2 divisions with a relegation/promotion system.

[am Bays]

I'll think you'll find NineMSN are quoting Caro from The Age:

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/two-more-clubs-for-afl/2008/02/15/1202760607682.html

[Psyber]

Mike Fitzpatrick was the instigator of the 'hands in the back' rule, so that would suggest how much credibility this dill has.

I heard commentators in Melbourne today saying they now think it had improved the game and players were adapting.

Are you kidding! It's just another one of the nuances that made our game great gone by the wayside. Did Robert "half wit" Walls say that?

I can't recall who said it, I wasn't paying full attention.
I'm not suprised you like shoving people somehow.

[RoosterMarty]

With that many sides, it's time to split the comp into 2 divisions with a relegation/promotion system.

For starters, it's ridiculous that the AFL would extend the league to 18 teams with a few Vic clubs struggling... but I guess you would have to make it 10 in the top league and 8 in the bottom to avoid the bye. This could end up robbing the league of 'big' games like the Showdown, Western Derby, Carlton vs Collingwood vs Essendon etc so it would never happen.

If it is an 18 club comp then it increases matches played also.. I'm not sure how it would work.

[GWW]

I'm sure if the league was split, the SA and WA clubs and Carl/Coll would stay in the same division so that the big games -Showdowns/Derbies etc would stay. I could possibly foresee a split comp, but i'd doubt a promotion/relegation system would be brought in.

[Psyber]

I'm sure if the league was split, the SA and WA clubs and Carl/Coll would stay in the same division so that the big games -Showdowns/Derbies etc would stay. I could possibly foresee a split comp, but i'd doubt a promotion/relegation system would be brought in.

It may develop in time, but right now the moves are being dictated by what he bidders for the TV rights want and that is teams in the other big population/audience areas they can then sell Foxtel to, or sell advertising beamed into on free-to-air. A couple of the Melbourne teams biting the bullet and relocating would perhaps be better for the standard of the competition, but the TV outlets want more games that appeal to out of Melbourne audiences.

[GWW]

I'm sure if the league was split, the SA and WA clubs and Carl/Coll would stay in the same division so that the big games -Showdowns/Derbies etc would stay. I could possibly foresee a split comp, but i'd doubt a promotion/relegation system would be brought in.

It may develop in time, but right now the moves are being dictated by what he bidders for the TV rights want and that is teams in the other big population/audience areas they can then sell Foxtel to, or sell advertising beamed into on free-to-air. A couple of the Melbourne teams biting the bullet and relocating would perhaps be better for the standard of the competition, but the TV outlets want more games that appeal to out of Melbourne audiences.

Thats certainly not the best way to run a footy competition if the tv stations have an overdue influence on things.

[Psyber]

I'm sure if the league was split, the SA and WA clubs and Carl/Coll would stay in the same division so that the big games -Showdowns/Derbies etc would stay. I could possibly foresee a split comp, but i'd doubt a promotion/relegation system would be brought in.

It may develop in time, but right now the moves are being dictated by what he bidders for the TV rights want and that is teams in the other big population/audience areas they can then sell Foxtel to, or sell advertising beamed into on free-to-air. A couple of the Melbourne teams biting the bullet and relocating would perhaps be better for the standard of the competition, but the TV outlets want more games that appeal to out of Melbourne audiences.

Thats certainly not the best way to run a footy competition if the tv stations have an overdue influence on things.

True, but they've got the money. It would probably suit the AFL and their big sponsor Telstra if the only people who got to live games were the corporates, there was no free-to-air, and everybody else just had to pay for Foxtel whether they liked it or not. Telstra/Foxtel probably think they could get away with it but the AFL is not sure enough to take the risk yet I suspect.

Telstra is a big player and likes monopoly which would allow exhorbitant pricing.
[Said he who owns some T1 shares which are doing quite nicely - bite your tongue, son!]

[Dog_ger]

With that many sides, it's time to split the comp into 2 divisions with a relegation/promotion system.

Time to start thinking that way.....

Some of the more richer melbourne clubs,

eg Collingwood, Collingwood & Collingwood may not want to share any spoils.....

Who would be happy to start in Divvy 2..?

[magpie in the 80's]

With that many sides, it's time to split the comp into 2 divisions with a relegation/promotion system.

all heading to an NFL confernce setup one thinks

[Macca19]

Get ready for our SANFL clubs to be pillaged of talent in those years. I dont know if there is enough serious talent to hold 18 teams but you never know.

[Ian]

With that many sides, it's time to split the comp into 2 divisions with a relegation/promotion system.

all heading to an NFL confernce setup one thinks

I hope not, I'd rather see 2 more even divisions. The NAB cup could still be played with all sides in 1 division, play the showdown, derby etc first round of that.

Get ready for our SANFL clubs to be pillaged of talent in those years. I dont know if there is enough serious talent to hold 18 teams but you never know.

Honestly, I don't think there is really enough for the current 16, every time they add a (or 2) side, they reduce the over all quality of the comp.

[Punk Rooster]

The SANFL is looking better with each media announcement the AFL make...

[RustyCage]

Why not increased it to 20, a nice round number

Seriously increasing the number of clubs to 18 is a joke, and there shouldn't be more teams in the Northern states until more Victorian clubs roll over. I'd say the talk about the Gold Coast and West Sydney clubs entering is more to do with reaching certain targets for Dumbetriou and therefore getting him a nice little pay bonus.

i think Demetriou is just trying to leave his legacy on the game, so when he has retired he can go, "That was me, I did that, I must have been important to the game"

[Interceptor]

Not many of us like Mike Sheahan, but some of you might find his article on new teams 'refreshing and rational':

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,23230789-5016212,00.html