Aussie Rules Premier League

[Whispers]

What if in 20 years or so, the AFL decided to combine the AFL, VFL, SANFL, WAFL and other state leagues to form a promotion/relegation system competition? Similar to the soccering world (EPL especially) the AFL could have a three or four division comp which would allow clubs to not fold or relocate, just simply replaced in a divison.

For this to work though, Australia's population would have to dramatically increase or International interest (Asia, New Zealand, parts of Europe) would have to increase so the league remains financially strong.

Peoples thoughts?

P.S I thought this would be a great Bay 13 topic....

 

[Mitchell Madness]

will never happen as each Victorian AFL club is affiliated with a VFL club. So if a "premier" league was to happen, the VFL clubs would have next to noone, as about half of their match day teams are compiled by AFL listed Players

 

[Whispers]

will never happen as each Victorian AFL club is affiliated with a VFL club. So if a "premier" league was to happen, the VFL clubs would have next to noone, as about half of their match day teams are compiled by AFL listed Players

Why not just roll back to the times when the AFL and VFL were seperate and introduce reserves again nearly every team would have a reserves.

Only discussions though.... could possibly kill country footy however..

 

[The Majestic]

You are forgetting the SANFL and WAFL are aligned to AFL clubs as well, albeit only two in each state there are still AFL listed players playing in those leagues.

 

[Whispers]

You are forgetting the SANFL and WAFL are aligned to AFL clubs as well, albeit only two in each state there are still AFL listed players playing in those leagues.

Yeah but if they were going to introduce this system they would work out a simple way of over coming this hurdle. All AFL clubs, aligned with state clubs or not, would be able to field two teams (sen. and res.) due to the size of the playing list. The state clubs that have players taken from them would have to recruit or contract players to fill the AFL listed players positions.... simple.

 

[And_ROOS]

Whilst i would love this to happen (the league i play in used to be a Promo/Rele style league) its just financial impossible in this country. Dont get me wrong, who wouldnt love seeing your local club move up the ranks from 3rd division into the Premier League, but theres just not enough money in the sport to make it happen.

 

[frothingworthywaters]

would love to see it but it wont happen due to money and crowds.

 

[Whispers]

Yeah I know money will be a major factor, thats why I mentioned about the introduction of Asia plus the fact that it wouldn't be until 2030ish so the population could increase.

Honestly I cant see it happen with the increase popularaty of soccer in the nation, along with league and union.

 

[Rob]

Nothing to do with population, it won't happen while there's a draft and salary cap. An AFL division 2 would be more popular than a lot of other national sporting leagues, what's stopping it is that it is virtually impossible to have a transition between divisions while teams have to recruit through the draft. What do you do, give the first pick to the Ballarat Boofheads, the bottom team of Division 3?

 

[cos789]

would love to see it but it wont happen due to money and crowds.

Actually you could start it up straight away in parallel with the AFL .
And it would be cost neutral or even turn a profit .
Just keep the existing leagues and at the end of the season the state premiers would play off for premier (non AFL) club .
All that is required is a few extra games .
Those games would be well attended .
The ABC already broadcasts the various state leagues on TV so this would add value to their product and cross-promotion of the state leagues .
thus the WAFL premier would be promoted as the APL Western Conference qualifier . It could develope as a replacement for state football .
The main flaw is that only 3 (maybe 4) states would be worthwhile .
Down the track , a limited east coast league could be formed with teams from Brisbane , Sydney , Canberra , NT and Tasmania .
And the winner would then qualify .