Bring back the AFL Reserves Competition

[Navy2005]

An AFL reserves competition is utterly financially viable.

Look at the accounts of the NT Thunder as an example of what it costs to send a team around the country - it's not that much.

Increasing list sizes by 10, allocate an extra (min wage*10) salary cap, line up some suburban grounds and we're there.

Well said!

 

[Seedsfan]

Will happen I think, has to happen will be good for the game. It would make the state leagues stronger and help make the foxtel cup meaningful

 

[madmug]

Will happen I think, has to happen will be good for the game. It would make the state leagues stronger and help make the foxtel cum meaningful

Does the Foxtel cum in a cup?

 

[kane249]

Will happen I think, has to happen will be good for the game. It would make the state leagues stronger and help make the foxtel cup meaningful

How would it make the state leagues stronger by having another stand alone league? By not having AFL players filtering back to the WAFL/SANFL/VFL when they aren't playing for their host club it will weaken those leagues.

 

[Seedsfan]

How would it make the state leagues stronger by having another stand alone league? By not having AFL players filtering back to the WAFL/SANFL/VFL when they aren't playing for their host club it will weaken those leagues.

There will be more interest in state leagues, they will become more then just AFL reserves they will become a competitions in their own right. I also think the VFL should be restructured and become like the TAC cup so there is one team from each region and there is a better pathway for TAC cup footballers

 

[kane249]

There will be more interest in state leagues, they will become more then just AFL reserves they will become a competitions in their own right. I also think the VFL should be restructured and become like the TAC cup so there is one team from each region and there is a better pathway for TAC cup footballers

So you will increase interest in state leagues by reducing the number of quality players running around in them? Not forgetting in order to have reserves team you need to increase the amount of players you would have to poach from state leagues further tapping into their talent pool.

You won't generate interest in state leagues if the quality in them decreases.

 

[Seedsfan]

So you will increase interest in state leagues by reducing the number of quality players running around in them? Not forgetting in order to have reserves team you need to increase the amount of players you would have to poach from state leagues further tapping into their talent pool.

You won't generate interest in state leagues if the quality in them decreases.

Lists will not be have to be that longer AFL clubs have enough to field two sides they will only need a few top ups for injury

 

[kane249]

Lists will not be have to be that longer AFL clubs have enough to field two sides they will only need a few top ups for injury

I think you're under estimating teams injury lists, towards the end of some seasons you have sides lucky enough to field a team of 22 plus 3 emergencies let alone another reserves team on top of that as well.

 

[Seedsfan]

I think you're under estimating teams injury lists, towards the end of some seasons you have sides lucky enough to field a team of 22 plus 3 emergencies let alone another reserves team on top of that as well.

Collingwood have 45 players only need to bump that up to 55

 

[Navy2005]

List sizes would not necessarily have to be increased a lot. As has ready been mentioned top up players could be used in the absence of listed players being available. Players in local leagues would be champing at the bit to be given the opportunity to be given an opportunity to play in the reserves competition and the cost would be very minimal.

 

[finders]

List sizes would not necessarily have to be increased a lot. As has ready been mentioned top up players could be used in the absence of listed players being available. Players in local leagues would be champing at the bit to be given the opportunity to be given an opportunity to play in the reserves competition and the cost would be very minimal.

The VFL (sic) is the AFL reserves in all but name.

 

[grassrootsfooty]

The VFL (sic) is the AFL reserves in all but name.

All leagues aren't happy with the set up in their competitions, the AFL are causing damage that will not be reversed in these leagues by not taking up a reserves comp for all AFL teams

 

[Albert Ross]

All leagues aren't happy with the set up in their competitions, the AFL are causing damage that will not be reversed in these leagues by not taking up a reserves comp for all AFL teams

An AFL reserves competition would end the existence of any VFL state league in Victoria. It would see the SANFL and WAFL lose their TV coverage in favour of the the AFL reserves comp. It would lead to a decline of interest in those comps with most supporters choosing to watch the AFL listed players run around.

 

[grassrootsfooty]

An AFL reserves competition would end the existence of any VFL state league in Victoria. It would see the SANFL and WAFL lose their TV coverage in favour of the the AFL reserves comp. It would lead to a decline of interest in those comps with most supporters choosing to watch the AFL listed players run around.

The SANFL pay $750k per annum to be televised on 7 Mate, they were paying less with ABC. The thoughts were that the AFL would bring numbers back to the SANFL the increase has been minimal and that is with the novelty factor. It is expected crowds will decrease next year with the true local supporters being disgusted with the now compromised league of competing with teams with full time proffesionals, and the initial increase by crows supporters in particular these AFL franchises will decrease numbers also now the new car smell wears off.

But saying that its not all about crowd numbers its about an even competition for the SANFL, and I would say the real WAFL supporters have the same views. They dont want to be development programmes for AFL teams they want to be stand alone competition with equal conditions for all involved. As for the existence of these leagues they will exist, but on a reduced level in terms of cash into the competition, it still wont affect the fact they will still compete with each other. Personally I liek the SANFL with its lesser skills with the fact its not a high possesion game but more kicking to a contest, due to the reduced foot skills. I suppose like football was played in the 80's before Franchises and corporates took it over.

 

[Rob]

An AFL reserves competition would end the existence of any VFL state league in Victoria. It would see the SANFL and WAFL lose their TV coverage in favour of the the AFL reserves comp. It would lead to a decline of interest in those comps with most supporters choosing to watch the AFL listed players run around.

No, it wouldn't. It might reduce the quality of the state leagues, but people don't watch state league footy for the quality in the first place.

 

[Cleavy]

The SANFL pay $750k per annum to be televised on 7 Mate

it is filmed in HD?

 

[Albert Ross]

No, it wouldn't. It might reduce the quality of the state leagues, but people don't watch state league footy for the quality in the first place.

They don't watch it at all

 

[IanW]

They don't watch it at all

Better crowds than the Sheffield Shield, and about the same as the Metro Cup.

Bring in an AFL Reserves Competition, and let the VFA be the VFA, the SANFL be the SANFL and the WAFL be the WAFL.

 

[Albert Ross]

Better crowds than the Sheffield Shield, and about the same as the Metro Cup.

Bring in an AFL Reserves Competition, and let the VFA be the VFA, the SANFL be the SANFL and the WAFL be the WAFL.

The VFA would consist of Port Melbourne and Williamstown.

With an AFL reserves you have a competing TV and attendance product. It will leach some of the coverage away from the state leagues. They are barely breathing as it is, a competing product with free attendance and its own TV deal might be one cut too much.

 

[bombersfan4000]

The AFL needs to reintroduce the AFL Reserves Competition in the interests of providing a competition that gives all AFL clubs surplus players the chance to on an even level.

Added benefits of this include:

Giving fans better value for money as they will get to watch two games for the admission price.

and

Give more players the chance to compete in State League competitions without spots being given to surplus AFL players.

and

Fans are able to support their State League club without also trying to support their AFL surplus players in State League competitions.

Surely the AFL has the resources to bring the Reserves Competition back. I for one would gladly welcome it.

it would be great if by a ticket to the AFL game and free entry to the reserves game to when ever its played. encouraging support for the lower tier grade.
in one way the reserves is slowly coming back, AFL teams are not aligning with the VFL teams any more but fielding their own resvere teams, but are bringing games back to the suburban grounds, windy hill, punt road & witten oval

 

[HiReception]

In terms of the viability of the poorer clubs sending extra players across the country, aren't all the away team flights provided by the League's sponsor airline (currently Virgin)? In that case, couldn't the AFL convince them to double their "commitment to the game" when the sponsorship contract is next written up?

And if they don't comply, I'm sure Qantas, or Etihad, or (godhelpus) Tigerair would be happy to take up the exposure of being "The Official Airline of the AFL and the AFL Reserves"...

 

[Albert Ross]

it would be great if by a ticket to the AFL game and free entry to the reserves game to when ever its played. encouraging support for the lower tier grade.
in one way the reserves is slowly coming back, AFL teams are not aligning with the VFL teams any more but fielding their own resvere teams, but are bringing games back to the suburban grounds, windy hill, punt road & witten oval

Club memberships generally include free entry to the reserve games anyway. And Collingwood and the Bulldogs (?) games are free as it is. Despite that no one goes. There is a massive myth out there that people want to go and watch these games. It is in that category of activities, like visiting your gran in her nursing home, that everyone says they intend to do but never actually get around to.

 

[Seedsfan]

Club memberships generally include free entry to the reserve games anyway. And Collingwood and the Bulldogs (?) games are free as it is. Despite that no one goes. There is a massive myth out there that people want to go and watch these games. It is in that category of activities, like visiting your gran in her nursing home, that everyone says they intend to do but never actually get around to.

Collingwood get decent crowds down at Vic Park, expect to see more next season when we play a double header with the first game at Olympic Park and the second game at the G

 

[finders]

Collingwood get decent crowds down at Vic Park, expect to see more next season when we play a double header with the first game at Olympic Park and the second game at the G

The crowds even Collingwoods at VFL level are a disgrace lucky if most games its a few hundred and its FREE to get in.

Local leagues get more followers than your average VFL match.The seconds were great when they were curtain raisers to the main game but that aint going to happen ever again.

 

[Seedsfan]

The crowds even Collingwoods at VFL level are a disgrace lucky if most games its a few hundred and its FREE to get in.

Local leagues get more followers than your average VFL match.The seconds were great when they were curtain raisers to the main game but that aint going to happen ever again.

There were more then a few hundred last week.