- May 23, 2016
- 713
- 836
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
- Other Teams
- Port Melbourne; Kalkee; Horsham Demons
If the stand alone VFA clubs tried to form a stand alone competition without AFL involvement (read: money) then it couldn't work. You wouldn't credit it given the falsified prestige of being in the state league, but there are clubs in the local leagues that are much, much more financial viable than even Port and Williamstown. We'd struggle to survive financially in the SFL, which is geographically where we'd end up, unless we managed to get local sponsorship and government support, which is probably already tied up in other clubs.There is no sustainable financial model without the AFL. Plus no local clubs would want to join - too risky. There are enough clubs already, except that Casey and Box Hill are ghost clubs that would fold overnight without their AFL partners.
We're in the best place for us at the moment, especially as Paul Amy suggests at least one AFL club is planning on using NAB League players as they aren't willing to invest time/energy into a VFL program. This gives us a better chance of success, which equals money which equals survival. When the AFL finally decides to institute a proper reserves competition, the VFL will be able to be run as a third tier competition with AFL Victoria support. Hanging out for that day.