Hun bugles new second tier comp.

[jonbe54]

This article in this morns HUN bugling a new second tier comp if not this upcoming season then in '12.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...champions-league/story-e6frf9jf-1225954108304

 

[Histrionics]

Seems like a good idea.

 

[Mickaman]

Yeah I like it.

 

[mattys123]

Would our VFL side be in the competition, or wouldn't they allow that?

Would be awesome to go to a "champions league".

Obviously we wouldn't qualify from last year, but the year before we were top 4 in the VFL, so we would have qualified.

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

Would our VFL side be in the competition, or wouldn't they allow that?

Would be awesome to go to a "champions league".

Obviously we wouldn't qualify from last year, but the year before we were top 4 in the VFL, so we would have qualified.

Of course it would be allowed.
It is a VFL side then it would qualify.

 

[mattys123]

Of course it would be allowed.
It is a VFL side then it would qualify.

If so we should spend a bit of money and upgrade our "top up players" in the VFL so we can make top 4 and qualify for the 2012 "champions league".

 

[JOELY]

i like the idea in theory but in practice i'm not sure how it'll go with teams from ACT and NSW etc. in there. i'm not exactly sure how strong they'll be but I imagine they'll be a fair gulf between say the VFL sides and one of them, making those games a little farcical. And the last thing you want is having AFL listed players playing in unnecessary games where there's a lot to lose and not much to gain..

 

[Ed D]

It used to be good going to games and having the reserves on before the match, gave you something to watch if you turned up early. Any sort of comp like this would be good, although I don't know if it'd draw much of a crowd.

 

[Pie eyed]

i like the idea in theory but in practice i'm not sure how it'll go with teams from ACT and NSW etc. in there. i'm not exactly sure how strong they'll be but I imagine they'll be a fair gulf between say the VFL sides and one of them, making those games a little farcical. And the last thing you want is having AFL listed players playing in unnecessary games where there's a lot to lose and not much to gain..

Re: particularly Collingwood VFL players, I'd think the higher the quality of opposition the better. No?

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

If so we should spend a bit of money and upgrade our "top up players" in the VFL so we can make top 4 and qualify for the 2012 "champions league".

Agreed.
Having 2 teams run around in an elite competition would be a pretty awesome advertisment

 

[Gambit78]

i like the idea in theory but in practice i'm not sure how it'll go with teams from ACT and NSW etc. in there. i'm not exactly sure how strong they'll be but I imagine they'll be a fair gulf between say the VFL sides and one of them, making those games a little farcical. And the last thing you want is having AFL listed players playing in unnecessary games where there's a lot to lose and not much to gain..

The sydney swans play their reserves side in the canberra league, so it has a few credentials. ACT teams like ainslie and belconnen have clout, and are capable of being competitive against other second tier teams. It's like many other leagues, you tend to have a couple of power house clubs, then the competition falls away. You see that from grass roots right through to VFL/SANF/WAFL level.

What I want to know is how they plan to run the 'Champions League' through the season? A knock out comp from april to august? Is that to say that teams could play another game in the week, like they do in the real 'champions league'?

 

[Swooop]

Sounds a potentially exciting idea.

As I understand, sixteen teams, each play each other once over 15 weeks, then a finals system.

Possible downside?

1. How would surfaces like Etihad go with extra games, and would the AFL guys be playing on an even more dodgy sand pit surface, straight after this curtain raiser?

2. How does the VFL, SANFL and WAFL function properly if their top four teams are involved in this new weekly competition? Do the teams participate in both comps?

Have I misunderstood the workings?

Maybe I have...why do they call it a knockout comp?...sixteen teams would go to eight, then to four, then 2 then 1..that would only take five weeks...so that can't be right.

Bit confused, but like the concept.

 

[jonbe54]

Yeah snoop specific details thin on the ground atm scheduling seems the most likely sticking point to me with so many comps involved will be interested in new details if any.

 

[FlipFoot]

The sydney swans play their reserves side in the canberra league, so it has a few credentials. ACT teams like ainslie and belconnen have clout, and are capable of being competitive against other second tier teams. It's like many other leagues, you tend to have a couple of power house clubs, then the competition falls away. You see that from grass roots right through to VFL/SANF/WAFL level.

While some of that is true, the part about Ainslie and Belco being the powerhouses and the others falling away isn't quite right. There are probably four out of the five sides that would be competitive. There is a new league that is starting in 2011 up here which involves the GWS, Swans reserves, Brisbane Lions reserves and the Gold Coast reserves. This 'eastern seaboard' league will set up for far more competitive sides in the future as well.

I think both of these are great for football and not only will bridge the gap between the second tier comps and the AFL, but they also give other players the chance to be the next Barlow, or young kids in rural areas the chance to prove they have what it takes.

It's a great initiative from the AFL and i think the rewards in 5-10 years time will be huge.

 

[Gambit78]

While some of that is true, the part about Ainslie and Belco being the powerhouses and the others falling away isn't quite right. There are probably four out of the five sides that would be competitive. There is a new league that is starting in 2011 up here which involves the GWS, Swans reserves, Brisbane Lions reserves and the Gold Coast reserves. This 'eastern seaboard' league will set up for far more competitive sides in the future as well.
.

Don't know. Pit Ainslie or Belconnen against Williamstown, I reckon those ACT teams would put up a fight. Not sure teams like Eastlake and Queanbeyan are up to scratch. But then again, I haven't been in the ACT since 2008. So if it's changed since then, I don't know.

But the powerhouse thing, applies to off field clout as well. Belco and Ainslie are massive in the ACT.

 

[GameOver]

Has anyone considered the effect that a comp like this would have on the state leagues? The plan is to play these games as curtain raisers to AFL fixtures which means the teams involved wouldn't be able to play in their state league comps. The state leagues would deteriorate as their best sides are taken away. The remaining teams in their state leagues are basically now playing for a 2nd rate premiership not too much unline a local competition. Looks good for the AFL and those clubs involved, but would ruin those left behind.

 

[Optimax]

The teams in involved forfeit their bye, so the week they wouldn't play in the league anyway they now play in a separate league

It just means the fixturing of the byes would need to be stringently placed, otherwise it would be fine

 

[GameOver]

The teams in involved forfeit their bye, so the week they wouldn't play in the league anyway they now play in a separate league

It just means the fixturing of the byes would need to be stringently placed, otherwise it would be fine

Games played between April and August...

so if the teams are grouped into 4 teams and play round robin before finals that's 3 games + 2 finals (if top from each group to play-off) so that's 5 games for grand finalists

If it's knockout then starting with 16, down to 8, 4, 2... that's still 4 games to be played by grand finalists

4 or 5 byes is a lot to schedule in for a team