VAFA General Discussion

[pazza]

I'd have thought the dire position HQ has left divisional football in would be a little higher than a rep dinner on the agenda.

VAFA HQ have an interesting 12-36 months on their hands.

A focus needs to be placed on the geography of the competition (existing and future), what standing does the VAFA hold in the local footy landscape and where does it want to be positioned. The previously aggressive focus on the expansion and growth plans to the detriment of existing member clubs.

The competition with metropolitan footy and all the money involved in it now, it would not surprise me that at the divisional level, things start to shrink.

 

[Jascave]

I'd have thought the dire position HQ has left divisional football in would be a little higher than a rep dinner on the agenda.

VAFA HQ have an interesting 12-36 months on their hands.

A focus needs to be placed on the geography of the competition (existing and future), what standing does the VAFA hold in the local footy landscape and where does it want to be positioned. The previously aggressive focus on the expansion and growth plans to the detriment of existing member clubs.

The financial position of the VAFA will make for interesting reading and discussion at the VAFA AGM on the 11th December.

 

[CARLTON2011]

The financial position of the VAFA will make for interesting reading and discussion at the VAFA AGM on the 11th December.

I'd like to know how many Clubs have outstanding fees owed to the VAFA and how much.
I believe it is plenty.

 

[bedford]

I know the sports program at McKinnon Secondary is very strong. We have a number of their students in the umpiring ranks.

Lets wait and see Pazz

 

[localfootylegend23]

I know the sports program at McKinnon Secondary is very strong. We have a number of their students in the umpiring ranks.

maybe all the boys want to umpire now instead of suiting up for the combine

 

[bedford]

Have they given any indication about fixtures

 

[coollbananas]

Ammos have now lost 16 clubs from the divisions since 2016 when there was 6 divisions of 10 plus D3 with 12 sides. I wonder what will happen over the next 10 years.

 

[Hammerjudd]

Ammos have now lost 16 clubs from the divisions since 2016 when there was 6 divisions of 10 plus D3 with 12 sides. I wonder what will happen over the next 10 years.

Who would that be?

 

[rattlesnakes71]

FYI, from tonight.

 

[bedford]

FYI, from tonight.

Well done to all to stop that rubbish
Now for limits on teams

 

[Wild Thing]

FYI, from tonight.

No Chadstone, Eley Park or Swinburne?

 

[Long time lurker]

Who would that be?

I'll have a go, off the top of my head, might be out with some dates...

Old Westbourne
Point Cook
Parade
Eltham
Ivanhoe
Bulleen/Templestowe
St Johns
Old Mentone
South Mornington

plus the mergers...

Yarra Valley and Manningham
St Mary's and Salesian
Glen Eira and Monash Gryphons

 

[eth-dog]

I'll have a go, off the top of my head, might be out with some dates...

Old Westbourne
Point Cook
Parade
Eltham
Ivanhoe
Bulleen/Templestowe
St Johns
Old Mentone
South Mornington

plus the mergers...

Yarra Valley and Manningham
St Mary's and Salesian
Glen Eira and Monash Gryphons

That was well before 2016

 

[coollbananas]

Who would that be?

My apologies, only 14 clubs, Old Mentonians, Ivanhoe, Old Paradians, St Johns OC, Yarra Valley/Manningham now one club, Eltham Collegians, Bulleen Templestowe, Swinburne Uni, Westbourne Grammarians, Point Cook, Eley Park, Mt Lilydale OC, Masala and Chadstone.

 

[outside_off]

I'll have a go, off the top of my head, might be out with some dates...

Old Westbourne
Point Cook
Parade
Eltham
Ivanhoe
Bulleen/Templestowe
St Johns
Old Mentone
South Mornington

plus the mergers...

Yarra Valley and Manningham
St Mary's and Salesian
Glen Eira and Monash Gryphons

To be fair, some of those above (Point Cook, South Mornington) werent around long.

Its hard to see any more new Clubs coming into VAFA unless the system changes. Might be 1-2 that disapppear though in next few years.

 

[bedford]

To be fair, some of those above (Point Cook, South Mornington) werent around long.

Its hard to see any more new Clubs coming into VAFA unless the system changes. Might be 1-2 that disapppear though in next few years.

The trouble is no one seems to care what's happening

 

[JimmyR20]

Well done to all to stop that rubbish
Now for limits on teams

Might feel like a win but more clubs will die.

Standing in the way of progress.

 

[outside_off]

The trouble is no one seems to care what's happening

I think the care factor is there and thats why the Divisions restructure was floated. Six teams in a Division is far from ideal. How would you solve the issue of club retention?

 

[bedford]

I think the care factor is there and thats why the Divisions restructure was floated. Six teams in a Division is far from ideal. How would you solve the issue of club retention?

More worried about the future of anyone getting to the top, this is why there needs to be a limit of how many sides 19's especially and 3rds

 

[Long time lurker]

To be fair, some of those above (Point Cook, South Mornington) werent around long.

Its hard to see any more new Clubs coming into VAFA unless the system changes. Might be 1-2 that disapppear though in next few years.

Yes, some have come and gone, think Bentleigh is another example.

What should the VAFA change?

I think the VAFA is a soft target when this topic is discussed. Clubs have been going under from the top, Fitzroy VFL, the middle, Oakleigh VFA etc, now Preston VFA, to the bottom for the last 5 decades. Whole leagues have disappeared, ESCFA, COD, CYMS, YCW, Federal, the list goes on. The number of clubs that folded or merged in that 70's and 80's period is enormous. Nothing stands still.

If clubs choose what they perceive to be greener pastures, which some on that list have, I am not sure what the VAFA can do. If clubs grew weary of the travel grind, I am not sure what the VAFA can do. If the demographics of a suburb change, I am not sure what the VAFA can do.

 

[rattlesnakes71]

It is quite clear that the only way to survive in the VAFA is if you are an established club with a strong base that continues to find numbers in the divisions although you won’t find success.

You won’t have anyone here openly agree although if you want to do well, recruit and be an overall good club. You must pay players whether that be through direct or indirect sources. The Amateur model is completely dead and the integrity of our comp is long gone although will never be investigated as the competition would simply die. Everyone knows it to be true. Do they just adopt the new model the way it’s going?

 

[Long time lurker]

It is quite clear that the only way to survive in the VAFA is if you are an established club with a strong base that continues to find numbers in the divisions although you won’t find success.

You won’t have anyone here openly agree although if you want to do well, recruit and be an overall good club. You must pay players whether that be through direct or indirect sources. The Amateur model is completely dead and the integrity of our comp is long gone although will never be investigated as the competition would simply die. Everyone knows it to be true. Do they just adopt the new model the way it’s going?

I can't speak for others but suspect you wouldn't get across the board agreement on those theories. 90% of clubs do not have a 5 year plan to take it to Prem A. So, in many ways, it depends on the definition of "success". Every club that won a flag in 2025, no matter the grade, would say they had a successful year.

 

[Jimmyjack]

To be fair, some of those above (Point Cook, South Mornington) werent around long.

Its hard to see any more new Clubs coming into VAFA unless the system changes. Might be 1-2 that disapppear though in next few years.

Expect there will be more than 1 or 2. Sadly clubs are disappearing across all leagues but the VAFA seem to have more departing for other competitions in order to remain viable (Ivanhoe, Banyule, Bulleen Temp etc). Whatever the actual number, to have so many clubs leaving/merging/disbanding should be a concern. While the lure of making a $ has always been there, it mainly impacts the higher grades and not sure that can be blamed for clubs from the 7th division of the VAFA going into recess. How many players from Eley Park or Chadstone would be chasing coin? I expect it has more to do with the relentless cycle of weekly floggings.

Doubt there is much appetite for this from HQ but perhaps it is time to genuinely consider capping the number of the 3rds teams. You wonder if a club like Swinburne might have survived if for example Old Xavs didn’t have 5 x 3rds teams.

 

[Archangel17]

Expect there will be more than 1 or 2. Sadly clubs are disappearing across all leagues but the VAFA seem to have more departing for other competitions in order to remain viable (Ivanhoe, Banyule, Bulleen Temp etc). Whatever the actual number, to have so many clubs leaving/merging/disbanding should be a concern. While the lure of making a $ has always been there, it mainly impacts the higher grades and not sure that can be blamed for clubs from the 7th division of the VAFA going into recess. How many players from Eley Park or Chadstone would be chasing coin? I expect it has more to do with the relentless cycle of weekly floggings.

Doubt there is much appetite for this from HQ but perhaps it is time to genuinely consider capping the number of the 3rds teams. You wonder if a club like Swinburne might have survived if for example Old Xavs didn’t have 5 x 3rds teams.

All valid but also in Swinburne's case it feels like a very early decision. Not knowing how many players have been plundered by Doncaster or have returned to the country, I would have thought O-week recruiting would be a big part of their player list

 

[God Yeah]

All valid but also in Swinburne's case it feels like a very early decision. Not knowing how many players have been plundered by Doncaster or have returned to the country, I would have thought O-week recruiting would be a big part of their player list

First step in Swinburne merging with South Yarra in the SFNL from 2027. Would honestly be a win-win.

I'm quite confident that we will never see Chadstone, Eley Park or Masala in the senior ranks again.