Bronte Howson said as much a few years ago - he can't see the sponsorship money required to sustain 9 teams (as it was then) continuing.
Some thoughts -
Peel's struggle to become successful (prior to being swallowed up by Fremantle) shows how difficult it would be for a regional side.
Pros of...
...alone 10) hence a reduction of the number of teams seems inevitable.
Nevermind Perth's increasing population and the apparent wealth WA has -
* As said the WAFC is broke (and has been squandering money on jobs for the boys for years)
* The lack of popularity and exposure of the WAFL...
Additionally both the Stirling Lions and Bayswater City games will now be played at the (crap) Athletics Stadium. Again due to lighting issues. Clubs requested a daytime fixture but FFA said no and threatened to pull the games over east if they didn't comply.
So the small guys lose home ground...
I don't know why the media doesn't just name them, but reading between the lines of what has been printed and other mail I've read i'd guess the other three were perth, Claremont and subi.
I won't get into why ep voted against standalone reserve sides when clearly the 9 wafl clubs were not...
Claremont has been paid for every player it has had drafted over the years. This is the prime and intended benefit of having a player drafted.
Often a player is drafted locally and then the club has had the added bonus of getting more use of this player and not having to pay for them to play...
Not only the grandstands, but the layout and feel of the grounds was fairly similar as well.
All 3 used to be within the old City of Perth boundaries which would explain it.
Yes, the station is quite a hike from the ground. Shortest route station to Arena takes you through the already very busy shopping centre which would be interesting on match day.
As for distance away for travelling fans - don't forget Cockburn was a prime option for the new stadium - if it was...
Obviously assets such as Subi Oval and other stadiums are a big consideration in the considered council realignments. I can't recall if the City of Perth is making a grab for it like they are for the new stadium and casino, among other things.
Primarily though you have to consider that the WAFC...
You're probably right, but that's not the point.
The state leagues provide an important stepping stone between juniors and the AFL - and also gives reserve players somewhere to play. For this latter point at the very least its in the AFL's interest to keep these leagues strong and viable...
Why do you assume I'm a an eagles supporter. I'm not.
However I do understand if it weren't for the eagles and dockers being profitable the WAFL would be up the creek. Luckily they are not like Port Adelaide.
Regardless whatever happened 25 years ago is history - moving forward the various...
Its about priorities isn't it.
Millions upon millions is spent keeping basket case clubs afloat or "growing" the game in QLD and NSW.
However just an extra million divided between the 9 WAFL clubs each year, for example, would make a huge difference.
While I agree that the AFL has a limited responsibility to look after 2nd tier clubs, the transfer fee system currently paid to state league clubs is pathetic. When one considers the cost of developing players and running a state league club the money gotten back for the effort is peanuts...
Its been the case since the eagles came about - nothing has really changed except that locally drafted players will now get taken off you. To even up the playing field it probably would have made more sense for the eagles and dockers to have their own reserve sides in the WAFL (or elsewhere) -...
Just pointing out that you've been fortunate to have a lot of your players drafted locally which has flow on benefits even after the AFL club has PAID you for your player. When EP does get a player drafted - and there's been one or two a year the last few years - they ALWAYS go over east. Not...
Was not trying to bear a cross. I merely pointed out that EP weren't easybeats leading up to the 2000 arrangement as was put earlier. This is why we won premierships in 2000-02 because we had formed the nucleus of a great side already.
Everyone who gets scared by this arrangement never looks...
The WAFC actually preferred Perth, it was the eagles who preferred EP. Dorrington's influence is on the wane and Kickett just arrived.
The WAFL has not been an even comp since the eagles came about with varying levels of AFL players in each side and other factors.
If a club develops a...
So tired of explaining the myth, but I don't think I've done it on this site yet ...
We were hardly easybeats back then ....
If you look back, 1996 we were runners up to Claremont (who had 10 AFL players in their GF side), we made the finals in 97 and 98, 99 we were 2nd last yes - but that...
STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION!!! *cough* (Its actually the complete opposite as to why we took the deal with the eagles!). We got Dawson because he was ready, unlike the year previous, and the only other club seeking a new coach was Subi who wanted to appoint from within.
In the matter of the...
I think the WAFC favoured Perth for the gig for quite some time. However it seems the Eagles preferred East Perth and given Bronte was keen that's the way it went. If Bronte and the board had not agreed to the deal when they did (ie waiting a week or two to get member consultation) then there's...
It is not surprising for East Perth to keep quiet - they behave like this all the time. Trying to get information out of the club is impossible.
I'm not saying they won't be a host club, but don't take their silence as an admission to being host because the board is always very aloof about...
We all understand the eagles and dockers wish for their reserve players to play together in one team - it is perfectly understandable. The problem is they come to the WAFL "demanding" a place without telling us what the benefits of such a move would be. Any decision made on this issue should be...
I'm pretty sure there's no gate-sharing - the clubs keep what they make at home games.
What does help keep the league alive though is the eagles and dockers pay a certain amount to the WAFC which is distributed to each club - the main purpose of this for junior development - ie the money is...
While they could perhaps exclude AFL players to create a "fairer" playing field it would not help the tv ratings so don't expect that to happen.
I don't know if there's any ruling in place for AFL reserves sides, but given the way the lions etc have their "top up" players supplied it may not...
You could be right - but it defeats the purpose of this exercise if NT Thunder are struggling and get an automatic spot.
Also the way they conducted themselves in this year's cup won't help their case for automatic inclusion.
Possibly. One story has suggested leagues outside SANFL, VFL and WAFL may have to play qualifying games. One would think top 2 NEAFL and top 2 Tassie would be the logical choices to fight it out for remaining 2 places. Maybe mix in Sydney AFL premiers - but I kinda figured that league has been...
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