Foxtel Cup facing the chop

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mighty tiges

Premiership Player
Aug 21, 2002
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oneeyed-richmond.com
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http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-14/foxtel-cup-faces-the-chop

Disappointing if true.

The competition had significant potential in the long-term if it was structured and promoted the right way. Sadly it hasn't been such as playing games at large empty neutral AFL stadiums rather than at the home grounds of these state league clubs where locals could easily attend not being far from their homes. If the AFL had waited until 2016 then it could have looked to organise an earlier season start (early March) of state league comps. as well as the AFL and then have designated 'bye' weekends in the comps during which the Foxtel Cup could be played. Have more state league teams as well including reserve AFL sides which would attract more public interest. Earlier rounds could be knockout games played between clubs in the same league (they could even be normal league matches that double up as Foxtel Cup games so there's not more workload on the players) and then have cross over inter-league matches for the quarter finals, semi finals and Grand Final.
 

mighty tiges

Premiership Player
Aug 21, 2002
4,120
5,942
oneeyed-richmond.com
AFL Club
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The four-year Foxtel Cup experiment is over, with the national knockout competition axed for next year.

The WA Football Commission confirmed yesterday that host broadcaster Foxtel had pulled out of the competition

WAFC chief executive Gary Walton said Foxtel was putting its money into other areas.

It is understood Foxtel's spending will instead go towards alternative football content, including a second series of reality television program The Recruit.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/25490773/axe-falls-on-foxtel-cup/

The article says Subiaco and Norwood are talking about starting an annual "clash of the premiers" match in March pitting the WAFL and SANFL premiers against each other. Norwood have approached McGuire Media to discuss broadcasting the match and getting Foxtel or Channel 7 interested and sorting out how it can be done commercially to at least break even. The first game if it goes ahead would be played in South Australia.
 

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raboyle

Norm Smith Medallist
May 8, 2001
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The Foxtel Cup should have been a pre-season competition running parallel with the NAB Challenge, as well as being played on state league grounds under lights.

Why play trial matches when teams can get real match fitness in full-on game conditions with a prize on offer?

And yes I'm sure most of the clubs don't have night lights, but there are plenty of grounds in each state that do so it shouldn't be impossible.
 
They weren't even full length games so it was hard to take seriously.
I found them interesting.

Nice to see how the various state league clubs stacked up against each other.
 

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raboyle

Norm Smith Medallist
May 8, 2001
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If it was to make a return, I would like to see it played as a precursor to the premiership season instead of just trial games for the participants, run parallel to the JLT series and played on suburban grounds under lights.
 
Mar 21, 2016
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should be a 32 club pre-season comp over 6 weeks (round 1 split over 2 weeks) from early Feb to mid March featuring AFL reserves sides (no veterans), top 3 stand alone sides (from previous year) from the NEAFL, VFL, SANFL and WAFL + NT Thunder and a TAS league rep side.
That time slot is gone to the womens game
 
May 30, 2006
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should be a 32 club pre-season comp over 6 weeks (round 1 split over 2 weeks) from early Feb to mid March featuring AFL reserves sides (no veterans), top 3 stand alone sides (from previous year) from the NEAFL, VFL, SANFL and WAFL + NT Thunder and a TAS league rep side.

I still think October, so the squads that played finals play the comp. 16 is fine though.
Rules around AFL listed players might need to be looked at, or AFL reserves sides simply ineligible (personally, I don't think that is fair; and what about the few remaining VFL aligned terams). Not an issue for Tas or NT (should Thunder get a free pass, or have to qualify through NEAFL with NTFL premiers entered).

VFL grand finalists + preliminary finalists
SANFL top 4 after finals
WAFL top 4 after finals
NEAFL grand finalists
TSL premiers
NTFL premiers [not sure what happens with dual qualified players here if Thunder qualify through NEAFL]

But getting sponsors, broadcasts, etc. AFLW, so far, works because it uses AFL branded clubs.

This failed last time because virtually nobody cares about state leagues any more, a few stiull turn up in SA and a lesser extent WA but wat way down on when state leagues mattered to the general public; and being midweek during the season clubs saw it as very much a secondary comp. Playing it outside the season means weekends. Then again, on weekends Fox have other sport to show.
Now that VFL, WAFL, SANFL are on commercial TV (+ Thunder midweek on SBS) there might be some chance of getting some coverage if played outside the normal season - but not against AFLW. I can't see anyone taking a punt on it.
 
Apr 17, 2006
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I still think October, so the squads that played finals play the comp. 16 is fine though.
Rules around AFL listed players might need to be looked at, or AFL reserves sides simply ineligible (personally, I don't think that is fair; and what about the few remaining VFL aligned terams). Not an issue for Tas or NT (should Thunder get a free pass, or have to qualify through NEAFL with NTFL premiers entered).

VFL grand finalists + preliminary finalists
SANFL top 4 after finals
WAFL top 4 after finals
NEAFL grand finalists
TSL premiers
NTFL premiers [not sure what happens with dual qualified players here if Thunder qualify through NEAFL]

But getting sponsors, broadcasts, etc. AFLW, so far, works because it uses AFL branded clubs.

This failed last time because virtually nobody cares about state leagues any more, a few stiull turn up in SA and a lesser extent WA but wat way down on when state leagues mattered to the general public; and being midweek during the season clubs saw it as very much a secondary comp. Playing it outside the season means weekends. Then again, on weekends Fox have other sport to show.
Now that VFL, WAFL, SANFL are on commercial TV (+ Thunder midweek on SBS) there might be some chance of getting some coverage if played outside the normal season - but not against AFLW. I can't see anyone taking a punt on it.

The issue was that the AFL prevented clubs from playing at their own stadiums, and that they played it mid week

If the AFL coordinated it so it was played on the "bye weeks" for the relevent teams, [particularly given that teams have 3-4 byes in most leagues.

should be played at various teams grounds, not at empty stadiums.
 
Jul 2, 2008
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Time for the idea of the Foxtel Cup to be shelved and a National State League Cup season to be promoted.

Talk of a U23 competition reinforces that the state league commissions should come together and form a league for the state league champions. 8 team competition with good coin available for players, possibly running on a short season format of 16 rounds.

Sturt, Port and the Eagles from the SANFL last season would be eligible. Sturt would have been automatically promoted and Port and Eagles would have played off for the second spot. WAFL would have been Peel, Subi and South Freo. That represents 4 clubs with 2-3 from Victoria and 1 out of NT, QLD, Tas. True national format as you would reinforce representation to a degree.

For AFL aligned clubs the play off would often sort them out.

No AFL listed players eligible for play off or regular season. Preseason draft allowing best non AFL listed players to be recruited.

It's a competition that would allow the best local talent outside the AFL to be in a high standard national comp
 

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