Sports A serious question

[RedFeather]

Air crash with AFL players on-board

First up, I wasn't exactly sure whether to post this on the AFL board or not.

Anyway I've been curious about this for a while, but never actually discussed it with anyone, and I'd like to know what people on here think about this:

What would happen if a club was traveling interstate by airplane, and there was somehow an air crash that killed the whole team? Similar to the Munich air disaster that killed eight Manchester United players.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I don't wish this upon any club God forbid. But I have been curious as to what exactly would happen with the club? Surely this club wouldn't be able to continue the AFL season, which would cause havoc across many areas.

 

[The OBSTacle]

First up, I wasn't exactly sure whether to post this on the AFL board or not.

Anyway I've been curious about this for a while, but never actually discussed it with anyone, and I'd like to know what people on here think about this:

What would happen if a club was traveling interstate by airplane, and there was somehow an air crash that killed the whole team? Similar to the Munich air disaster that killed eight Manchester United players.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I don't wish this upon any club God forbid. But I have been curious as to what exactly would happen with the club? Surely this club wouldn't be able to continue the AFL season, which would cause havoc across many areas.

Do you think the AFL has an air disaster contingency plan on the books?

I imagine that special provisions would be instigated to rebuild the club in question. There would be public outrage if the AFL attempted to wind up a club in that unfortunate position.

 

[RedFeather]

I'm not too sure really, wouldn't have thought so though. Just want to know what you'd think would happen though, really curious about it.

 

[The OBSTacle]

I'm not too sure really, wouldn't have thought so though. Just want to know what you'd think would happen though, really curious about it.

It would be a PR nightmare for the AFL to attempt to wind up a club put in that unfortunate situation.

The club in question would most likely have it's draw cancelled with 2 points for a draw issued for the remainder of the seasons draw to the remaining opponents.

Then I expect a Gold Coast style draft would be commenced in order to rebuild the club in question.

 

[Michael Scarn]

And the uncontracted players rule could come in as well.

 

[Dan]

The players can be replaced.....it wouldn't kill a club

 

[Caesar]

It would be a PR nightmare for the AFL to attempt to wind up a club put in that unfortunate situation.

The club in question would most likely have it's draw cancelled with 2 points for a draw issued for the remainder of the seasons draw to the remaining opponents.

Then I expect a Gold Coast style draft would be commenced in order to rebuild the club in question.

This. It goes without saying that the club would receive all manner of financial support from the AFL (and probably other clubs as well) in order to tide them over for 12 or 24 months, or however long it took for them to get back on their feet.

I'm sure this scenario is part of the AFL's risk matrix; aside from the famous Munich disaster there have been a number of these sorts of disasters over the years - several in the US killing college football and basketball teams, the Torino and Alianza Lima soccer teams in the 50s and the 70s, the Zaire soccer team in the early 90s... it's a scarily long list.

That said, modern air travel in a first-world country like Australia is exceptionally safe and the routes we're talking about are not low-traffic corridors landing at small regional airports. I feel safer flying from Sydney to Perth than I do driving down the road to the corner shop.

 

[RedFeather]

What about stadium agreements? Aren't there agreements to play a certain amount of games at say the MCG per year?

 

[Caesar]

I'm sure they'd be the last thing anyone would be worrying about in that sort of situation.

 

[Dimenhydrinate]

That is a good question. I know that the American leagues have full contingency plans which involves taking players from other franchises.

I'm more curious as to what the NRL or A-League would do, since those leagues are based on free agency and not drafts.

 

[Tormented Tiger]

It would be a blessing if it happened to 6 teams. Then next year we'd be back to a 12 team league which would make for an even competition.

 

[rocker_oz33]

have thought of this before only if this could happen to collingwood well not kill em all (come on,I'm not that much of a saddest).just break there legs or something.put them out for the season that would be nice.

 

[grizzlym]

There's a thread on this very topic on the main board.

Closed.