They already got Gippsland Power for part of that, If you wanted Box Hill Mustangs to takeover Eastern Ranges and Oakleigh Chargers region to become Port Melbourne Borough's not sure any need for another club to run that pathway.
You are right, the AFL used to deliberately make the VFL affiliation fee stupidly expensive to encourage clubs to affiliate. And clubs initially were happy to do so as it was a means of survival. Speaking for Port, however, this changed when North Melbourne started to expect to be given more and more say in where certain players were played and when, game plans, staff appointments, etc. They expected to be in charge and underestimated how much Port values it's independence as a club. They also supposedly told us we would need to change our jumper and nickname to match theirs. We told them no and tore up the agreement. Given what has happened since with Box Hill, Northern Blues and Casey rebranding and Sandringham going that way as well, I can't see Port agreeing to it.
Very well said. My understanding with Sandringham is they were untangling themselves from St.Kilda in next 12 months anyway.
I have Been working For the club for 15 years Frankston only VFL club to never have been aligned
I hear the SANFL is looking for a new Port.
Port would be a powerhouse for a year or two, but once they lose the exposure that being part of the VFL affords, they will find it harder to attract players or sponsors compared to other suburban clubs that have hundreds of juniors and their families. Sponsors at suburban level are usually local businesses involved in the club. That would dry up pretty quickly. It may work, but they and other clubs transition from state level to suburban footy will need committees 100% committed to the next 5, 10, 20+ years as a community suburban club. It takes a lot of work to build up juniors, etc.
VAFA means no pay for players and no beer at games. Not an option for Port. Port and Will are ancient rivals and need to keep playing each other. How about a premier league of the best clubs in the WRFL and and EDFL containing Port, Willie, Werribee, Coburg and possibly Preston, plus the five next strongest clubs.
No, it will be whatever both clubs can cobble together for a scratch match. If some club only has 14 fit players, the scratch match will likely be 14 a side.
Don’t agree with this at all. Cant speak for the WAFL but most SANFL sides would do well in the VFL and Glenelg last year would have easily made the top 4 IMO
Football here is nothing like SA. The VFL is essentially a development league already. Most players are 19 - 22. There are hundreds of ‘state level’ players spread around suburban and country clubs. For example, at Box Hill there is a large turnover - most players leave by 22/23 to get more cash and a better career at a suburban club. A strong club like Vermont in the EFL also enables players to play in front of more fans than Coburg or Frankston for example.
