- Moderator
- #1
With increasing numbers of VFL teams reverting back to seconds, the constant year to year rejigging of the NEAFL, and the painful processes undergone in WA and SA for the seconds arrangements, it seems to me that we lack a viable and stable second tier competition. I know I know duh etc. But theres two other reasons why this should be considered.
1) it enables expansion without the crippling costs of a full fledged AFL side. Look to the Rugby League second tier competitions in NSW and QLD cups (or even the SG Ball competition) where they include areas without national sides. Such an arrangement at the AFL level would see the competition be able to include sides from otherwise non viable areas including the NT, ACT and Tasmania, say alongside the successful model used by the NT Thunder.
Costs would be much less as they'd be running under the same salary cap as say a VFL side is.
2) Its another string to the AFL broadcasting rights bow. Presently the AFL has nothing to offer outside of its current season and nab challenge. No Origin, and almost no international series worth bidding for. At a time the league seeks to increase its rights, something like this could be an option. Its worth noting that broadcasting the second tier NRL competitions is part of their broadcast rights.
3) i know i said two reasons - this is an afterthought -, but a second tier competition is also somewhere where a team could be dropped to if they cant sustain an AFL team financially - such as GWS if it doesnt progress financially in an apropriate time. I am not proposing a promotion/relegation system.
The downside of this is that recently signed state league broadcasts in WA, SA and Vic would become almost meanignless since all are reliant in interest generated by the AFL clubs - its in the SA AFL clubs reserve agreements for instance that they assist with the tv broadcasts in SA.
Im possibly full of it.
1) it enables expansion without the crippling costs of a full fledged AFL side. Look to the Rugby League second tier competitions in NSW and QLD cups (or even the SG Ball competition) where they include areas without national sides. Such an arrangement at the AFL level would see the competition be able to include sides from otherwise non viable areas including the NT, ACT and Tasmania, say alongside the successful model used by the NT Thunder.
Costs would be much less as they'd be running under the same salary cap as say a VFL side is.
2) Its another string to the AFL broadcasting rights bow. Presently the AFL has nothing to offer outside of its current season and nab challenge. No Origin, and almost no international series worth bidding for. At a time the league seeks to increase its rights, something like this could be an option. Its worth noting that broadcasting the second tier NRL competitions is part of their broadcast rights.
3) i know i said two reasons - this is an afterthought -, but a second tier competition is also somewhere where a team could be dropped to if they cant sustain an AFL team financially - such as GWS if it doesnt progress financially in an apropriate time. I am not proposing a promotion/relegation system.
The downside of this is that recently signed state league broadcasts in WA, SA and Vic would become almost meanignless since all are reliant in interest generated by the AFL clubs - its in the SA AFL clubs reserve agreements for instance that they assist with the tv broadcasts in SA.
Im possibly full of it.
