News Port Adelaide have applied to join the VFL by 2025

[Duckimus Prime]

The current VFL claims the history of the VFA, which began in 1877. Port Melbourne was founded in 1874 and joined the VFA in 1886. There are only two clubs that still play in the VFL that competed in the VFA when it was the top league in Victoria, and we are one of them.
The club has won 17 Flags, 15 of which were prior to competition restructures in 1995 and 2000. We were the first VFL club to cancel an alignment with an AFL club, and the first stand alone to win a premiership since the AFL reserves merged with the VFL, which prior to 2000 was in an alignment with what was then the TAC Cup.

The club has never left the VFA/VFL competition, and has completed every season apart from when the competition was in recess during WWI and WWII. We are also the only club never to play a season in Division 2 in the years it existed.

I don't know where you heard that Port are only as old as the current VFL set up, or that we binned our history to join a competition we've already been in for almost 120 years, but you are wrong.

The current VFL is not the VFA. Its a new competition that the AFL setup that included some former VFA teams. Changing competitions as we've been continuously informed means you're no longer the same club and can't claim its history from another competition. Sorry, Port Melbourne are now just a couple of years old and haven't won anything.

The real Port Melbourne ceased to be when it was abandoned for this new one.

 

[Rickee]

The current VFL is not the VFA. Its a new competition that the AFL setup that included some former VFA teams. Changing competitions as we've been continuously informed means you're no longer the same club and can't claim its history from another competition. Sorry, Port Melbourne are now just a couple of years old and haven't won anything.

The real Port Melbourne ceased to be when it was abandoned for this new one.

That's incorrect. The VFA merged with the then-TAC Cup in 1995, where each VFA team was linked with a club in the newly set up underage competition.

When the AFL wound up the VSFL in 1999, the AFL reserves clubs were invited to join the VFL, either as stand alone entities or by merging with a VFL side. The same thing happened when AFL wound up the NEAFL a few years ago. Port Melbourne never left the competition, the licence carried over. We won 2 VFL flags, one in 2011 (an unbeaten season) and one in 2017, so your wrong math isn't even mathing, because we have won something.

The VFL is not a new competition in any way, shape or form, it is a continuation of the VFA competition that began in 1877, the AFL acknowledges that.

Port Adelaide leaving the SANFL and joining the AFL is not the same situation, otherwise AFL records would be reset every time a new club joined.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

The current VFL is not the VFA. It’s a new competition that the AFL setup that included some former VFA teams. Changing competitions as we've been continuously informed means you're no longer the same club and can't claim its history from another competition. Sorry, Port Melbourne are now just a couple of years old and haven't won anything.

The real Port Melbourne ceased to be when it was abandoned for this new one.

It wasn’t a new competition, it was a merger of leagues in 2000. Every club that was in the league in 1999 was in the league in 2000.

Clubs didn’t “join” it while still also playing in their pre-existing league.

And they have won two premierships since then.

 

[AussieNick1999]

That's incorrect. The VFA merged with the then-TAC Cup in 1995, where each VFA team was linked with a club in the newly set up underage competition.

When the AFL wound up the VSFL in 1999, the AFL reserves clubs were invited to join the VFL, either as stand alone entities or by merging with a VFL side. The same thing happened when AFL wound up the NEAFL a few years ago. Port Melbourne never left the competition, the licence carried over. We won 2 VFL flags, one in 2011 (an unbeaten season) and one in 2017, so your wrong math isn't even mathing, because we have won something.

The VFL is not a new competition in any way, shape or form, it is a continuation of the VFA competition that began in 1877, the AFL acknowledges that.

Port Adelaide leaving the SANFL and joining the AFL is not the same situation, otherwise AFL records would be reset every time a new club joined.

This, the records and premierships of the VFA carry over into the VFA, with Port Melbourne's 15 VFA-era flags being counted as part of the club's total. The VFA as an administrative body no longer exists but the on-field competition does continue as the VFL.

 

[ibd77]

Port Districts can be elevated to the Snaffell, give them the trad Port zones. No dramas.

...and dilute the "second best competition" in Australia. Never! It would be worse than our "betrayal" of SA footy by the SANFL cretinous die-hards.

 

[Roylion]

Brisbane Lions and Fitzroy is a curly one, and far more knowledgeable people than me on it. I only am aware of the basics, in that Fitzroy were insolvent,

Fitzroy weren't insolvent.

5.3A 436A of the Corporations Act states that a Company may appoint an administrator if the board of that company thinks it is or will become insolvent.

Part 5.3A 436B states that a Liquidator may appoint an administrator.

Part 5.3A 436C states that a secured party may appoint an administrator.

Note the bold of the last section, because this is what happened to Fitzroy.

"A person who is entitled to enforce a security interest in the whole, or substantially the whole, of a company's property may by writing appoint an administrator of the company if the security interest has become, and is still, enforceable."

Fitzroy owed $1.25 million to Nauru, secured with a ‘floating charge’ (meaning that the loan was not secured against anything specific but rather against any and all assets to the value of the loan).

Fitzroy's debt to Nauru wasn't due in 1996. It was due in 2001 and Fitzroy was meeting the repayments.

So why did Nauru appoint an administrator under Part 5.3A 436C?

When Fitzroy resolved to seek a merger with North Melbourne, the Kangaroos (at the instigation of the AFL) refused to release any more than $550,000 of the $1.25 million owed to Nauru from the merger monies of the $6 million that the AFL had promised in the event of two clubs merging into a new club. The AFL were telling North Melbourne that if they held out, they wouldn't have to pay Fitzroy creditors at all and would receive all of the financial package ($6 million) for completion of this deal themselves.

So when Nauru was informed of this, they appointed an administrator to recover their $1.25 million debt when the AFL subsequently threatened to withdraw the $6 million merger incentive to North and Fitzroy, from which the secured debt to Nauru was to be repaid in the event of a merger. Nauru could have ended up with nothing.

As a result of the appointment of the administrator, the creditors of the company (Fitzroy Football Club) resolved on 25 July 1996, that Fitzroy should enter a Deed of Company Arrangement (instead of the creditor's other two choices permissable by the Corporations Act 2001 which was liquidation or ending the administration).

Nauru's choice of an administrator, rather than a receiver or liquidator, helps explain why the Fitzroy Football Club survives in its own right to this day. Fitzroy owed $1.25 million to Nauru, secured with a ‘floating charge’ (meaning that the loan was not secured against anything specific but rather against any and all assets to the value of the loan).

The administrator spent 18 months converting Fitzroy's assets into cash to pay its 120 unsecured creditors, including players and employees. The unsecured creditors received 27¢ in the dollar and Fitzroy's only secured creditor Nauru got its $1.25 million.

On 4 August 1996 a deed was executed by Fitzroy (controlled by Michael Brennan as administrator) and the Brisbane Bears Football Club Ltd. In consideration of Brisbane Bears Football Club Ltd. agreeing to pay or procure the payment of various amounts mentioned in the deed (such as paying Nauru's loan), and to provide certain indemnities, the administrator agreed to transfer all Fitzroy's operations and activities as an AFL club (including its football operations) to the Brisbane Bears with effect from 1 November 1996.

So in effect the Brisbane Bears purchased Fitzroy's AFL assets as pertaining to its Club Operations.

The AFL added on some other bonuses such as priority (pre draft) access to eight players from Fitzroy's 1996 list, some AFL money (an AFL grant to aid its purchasing of Fitzroy's assets.)

As part of the deal, the administrator relinquished (voluntarily surrendered) Fitzroy Football Club's licence to compete in the AFL competition, effectively expelling the Fitzroy Football Club from the AFL competition.

The AFL also gave permission for all its AFL owned trademarks (pertaining to Fitzroy) to be used by the Brisbane Bears Football Club from Season 1997 onwards and this was ratified by 14 of the 16 clubs on July 4th 1996 to come into effect on November 1st 1996. The Brisbane Bears subseqently re-branded their club identity and continued in the AFL as the "Brisbane Lions".

So Fitzroy Football Club left the VFL-AFL competition after 100 years of participation.

Ironically one of the people working for Michael Brennan in 1996 on the Fitzroy situation was the current CEO of the Brisbane Lions Greg Swann who publicly stated in August 2014 that Fitzroy could have 'easily been retained' in the AFL competition had there been the will by the AFL to do so.

whilst Fitzroy survived as an amateur club and retains its history as such.

Joined the VAFA at the end of 2008. Owns the famous 'FFC' logo which they still wear proudly on their jumpers as they did in the VFL-AFL.

 

[SC_Power]

Fitzroy weren't insolvent.

5.3A 436A of the Corporations Act states that a Company may appoint an administrator if the board of that company thinks it is or will become insolvent.

Part 5.3A 436B states that a Liquidator may appoint an administrator.

Part 5.3A 436C states that a secured party may appoint an administrator.

Note the bold of the last section, because this is what happened to Fitzroy.

"A person who is entitled to enforce a security interest in the whole, or substantially the whole, of a company's property may by writing appoint an administrator of the company if the security interest has become, and is still, enforceable."

Fitzroy owed $1.25 million to Nauru, secured with a ‘floating charge’ (meaning that the loan was not secured against anything specific but rather against any and all assets to the value of the loan).

Fitzroy's debt to Nauru wasn't due in 1996. It was due in 2001 and Fitzroy was meeting the repayments.

So why did Nauru appoint an administrator under Part 5.3A 436C?

When Fitzroy resolved to seek a merger with North Melbourne, the Kangaroos (at the instigation of the AFL) refused to release any more than $550,000 of the $1.25 million owed to Nauru from the merger monies of the $6 million that the AFL had promised in the event of two clubs merging into a new club. The AFL were telling North Melbourne that if they held out, they wouldn't have to pay Fitzroy creditors at all and would receive all of the financial package ($6 million) for completion of this deal themselves.

So when Nauru was informed of this, they appointed an administrator to recover their $1.25 million debt when the AFL subsequently threatened to withdraw the $6 million merger incentive to North and Fitzroy, from which the secured debt to Nauru was to be repaid in the event of a merger. Nauru could have ended up with nothing.

As a result of the appointment of the administrator, the creditors of the company (Fitzroy Football Club) resolved on 25 July 1996, that Fitzroy should enter a Deed of Company Arrangement (instead of the creditor's other two choices permissable by the Corporations Act 2001 which was liquidation or ending the administration).

Nauru's choice of an administrator, rather than a receiver or liquidator, helps explain why the Fitzroy Football Club survives in its own right to this day. Fitzroy owed $1.25 million to Nauru, secured with a ‘floating charge’ (meaning that the loan was not secured against anything specific but rather against any and all assets to the value of the loan).

The administrator spent 18 months converting Fitzroy's assets into cash to pay its 120 unsecured creditors, including players and employees. The unsecured creditors received 27¢ in the dollar and Fitzroy's only secured creditor Nauru got its $1.25 million.

On 4 August 1996 a deed was executed by Fitzroy (controlled by Michael Brennan as administrator) and the Brisbane Bears Football Club Ltd. In consideration of Brisbane Bears Football Club Ltd. agreeing to pay or procure the payment of various amounts mentioned in the deed (such as paying Nauru's loan), and to provide certain indemnities, the administrator agreed to transfer all Fitzroy's operations and activities as an AFL club (including its football operations) to the Brisbane Bears with effect from 1 November 1996.

So in effect the Brisbane Bears purchased Fitzroy's AFL assets as pertaining to its Club Operations.

The AFL added on some other bonuses such as priority (pre draft) access to eight players from Fitzroy's 1996 list, some AFL money (an AFL grant to aid its purchasing of Fitzroy's assets.)

As part of the deal, the administrator relinquished (voluntarily surrendered) Fitzroy Football Club's licence to compete in the AFL competition, effectively expelling the Fitzroy Football Club from the AFL competition.

The AFL also gave permission for all its AFL owned trademarks (pertaining to Fitzroy) to be used by the Brisbane Bears Football Club from Season 1997 onwards and this was ratified by 14 of the 16 clubs on July 4th 1996 to come into effect on November 1st 1996. The Brisbane Bears subseqently re-branded their club identity and continued in the AFL as the "Brisbane Lions".

So Fitzroy Football Club left the VFL-AFL competition after 100 years of participation.

Ironically one of the people working for Michael Brennan in 1996 on the Fitzroy situation was the current CEO of the Brisbane Lions Greg Swann who publicly stated in August 2014 that Fitzroy could have 'easily been retained' in the AFL competition had there been the will by the AFL to do so.




Joined the VAFA at the end of 2008. Owns the famous 'FFC' logo which they still wear proudly on their jumpers as they did in the VFL-AFL.

Thanks, as I mentioned there were far more knowledgeable people than me on this, and I'm glad you're one of them.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

As an aside, given this has all the hallmarks of an ambit threat by Port, I wonder what they have actually “done”.

Apparently they have “formally applied” to join the VFL. What does this actually mean? There’s no formal application process. Have they met with AFL Vic, who oversee the league?

Or is it all just a big media show?

 

[ohmygewd]

As an aside, given this has all the hallmarks of an ambit threat by Port, I wonder what they have actually “done”.

Apparently they have “formally applied” to join the VFL. What does this actually mean? There’s no formal application process. Have they met with AFL Vic, who oversee the league?

Or is it all just a big media show?

Suppose they would formally apply to the AFL Vic to enter the VFL and lay down 100-150K for the licence fee subject to approval?

 

[yodellinhank]

The Hornets (originally the Bobcats under Michael Jordan) did a deal with the previous Hornets (now New Orleans Pelicans) to reclaim the history from the years they were originally in Charlotte (up to early 2000’s). League didn’t have any right to the club history, it was a club with club decision.

And the NBA board of governors.

History is just whatever the majority of people choose to recognise.

 

[master bate]

I just don't see how the pros outweigh the cons on this one. Port and Adelaide get to keep their kids at home every week in a consistent routine, get to play a decent standard and in front of crowds.

The VFL as currently structured is a mess of weird times and dates, features a bunch of uncompetitive teams and poorly attended venues across the eastern seaboard.

 

[SC_Power]

I just don't see how the pros outweigh the cons on this one. Port and Adelaide get to keep their kids at home every week in a consistent routine, get to play a decent standard and in front of crowds.

The VFL as currently structured is a mess of weird times and dates, features a bunch of uncompetitive teams and poorly attended venues across the eastern seaboard.

One small advantage is it would ease the flight risk when drafting Vic Metro kids. Getting to travel home every 2-3 weeks would help ease any initial concerns.

Not a reason on its own through

 

[AussieNick1999]

I just don't see how the pros outweigh the cons on this one. Port and Adelaide get to keep their kids at home every week in a consistent routine, get to play a decent standard and in front of crowds.

The VFL as currently structured is a mess of weird times and dates, features a bunch of uncompetitive teams and poorly attended venues across the eastern seaboard.

I assume the VFL containing a majority of AFL reserves teams is the reason. That's the only thing I could see anyone saying the VFL is the superior league when it's an unbalanced mess with little-to-no interest from fans.

 

[Taper]

I just don't see how the pros outweigh the cons on this one. Port and Adelaide get to keep their kids at home every week in a consistent routine, get to play a decent standard and in front of crowds.

The VFL as currently structured is a mess of weird times and dates, features a bunch of uncompetitive teams and poorly attended venues across the eastern seaboard.

Port and Crows think the SANFL is out to get them hence why they want to leave.
It reminds me of Richmond supporters thinking Steve Hocking is out to get them.

 

[JimmyBC]

The lopsided free counts every week (that should be on crimewatch) & the siren going at the 22 minute mark of last quarters in any game you are a few points down in (including GF's) is hilarious in the SANFL.. you need to be an AFL reserves side to experience this of course.

 

[carloss]

The lopsided free counts every week (that should be on crimewatch) & the siren going at the 22 minute mark of last quarters in any game you are a few points down in (including GF's) is hilarious in the SANFL.. you need to be an AFL reserves side to experience this of course.

The never-ending quarter that nearly sank Essendon’s VFL team

This week in Snap Shot: the quarter that nearly didn’t end; the fight for ninth; and the Commonwealth Games exhibition match.

www.theage.com.au

 

[terrybull]

The current VFL is not the VFA. Its a new competition that the AFL setup that included some former VFA teams. Changing competitions as we've been continuously informed means you're no longer the same club and can't claim its history from another competition. Sorry, Port Melbourne are now just a couple of years old and haven't won anything.

The real Port Melbourne ceased to be when it was abandoned for this new one.

Changed my mind about Port Adelaide joining.

BigFooty will be plagued with arguments that the VFL is not VFA.

And in this case it will be more complicated with arguments that the VFL started in 1897 and died after 1989. Only to be alive again in 1996

Just kidding.. let PA join, but if you want to count all your zillion flags in the SANFL to the new comp then it be better to invite all the AFL Reserves to the SANFL.

But be prepared for the arguments if there is a name change to the competition that it’s not a continuation. But at least you will be right this time…

 

[terrybull]

And the NBA board of governors.

History is just whatever the majority of people choose to recognise.

I always said you can change you past, present and future anytime you like

 

[Rotayjay]

If Port Adelaide plays in the VFL, where will the players live and train?

 

[powerrrrrrrrrrrr]

If Port Adelaide plays in the VFL, where will the players live and train?

At home? Not sure why they would be anywhere else.

 

[JimmyBC]

If Port Adelaide plays in the VFL, where will the players live and train?

Eh? lol

 

[Papa G]

If Port Adelaide plays in the VFL, where will the players live and train?

Gold Coast

 

[Bunk Moreland]

If Port Adelaide plays in the VFL, where will the players live and train?

They think they struggle to get adequate top-ups now… wait til they’re trying to recruit these part timers and telling them they have to travel to play every second week.

 

[Schulzenfest]

If Port Adelaide plays in the VFL, where will the players live and train?

Your mother's house.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

If Port Adelaide plays in the VFL, where will the players live and train?

Would be home & away like the AFL.

The more pertinent question is that they would need to give up the Magpies & prison bars.