Mini-tours

[WCEforeverman]

I heard this theory last night on 6pr and actually thought it was a good idea. It was brushed off by Barra so it didn't get much discussion, which is disappointing because I though it had a bit of merit.

The theory is that rather than having one game at subi, then one away alternating (except for Derbies), the eagles (and possibly freo) should do what the Super 14 teams do and have a "mini" tour.

For example the Western Force fly to South Africa and stay there for a few weeks and play several games. The Eagles could do the same in Victora, and then on return, stay and play several games at subi in a row.

Im not suggesting that the eagles play 4 - 5 games in a row in Victoria, more likely only 2,maybe 3. They could fly out on the Wednesday/Thurdsay, play on that weekend, stay the week in Melbourne, play the game the weekend following and fly back straight after the match. That way they would only be away from Perth for 10 - 11 days depending on what days the games are on. Then on return they could have 2 games in a row at subi.

This way the team would decrease the number of times they had to travel from 10, to 4 - 5. Looking at the longevity statistics on Eagles vs Crows players, it might be worth further investigation. Obviously this would only work in Melbourne and maybe Adelaide.

Obviously the costs for travelling, and setting up a semi-regular training facility in Melbourne would be quite high, but lets face it we should be able to afford it.

 

[bodazoka]

It has merit... I think theres a group of victorians who would baulk at giving us or any other "interstate" team two or more home games in a row unless facing Freo. Lets face it.. teams travelling to Subi are at a disadvantage, even more so if they are facing a team who didnt have to travel the week before.

As for us I think we would be more competetive if we were able to spend more time in Victoria training for 2 games in a row rather than just the one. The added costs would almost balance out considering we are saving on travel costs and half the team could spend the time with their families rather than at hotels.

So in essence it will make us more competetive, increase the longevity of our players and not cost us much more.

However it will make the fixture harder for the AFL to figure out, It will mean that fans dont get to see the home team every second week and might even lead to less home games than before and does not benefit the Victorian teams one bit.

 

[Marlin01]

definitely worthy of consideration. The argument that Victorian teams wouldn't like it because it would mean less travel for us could not possibly be valid.

 

[Cuzz09]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Travel is without a doubt the reason why we have yet to have a player reach 300 games.

I reckon in 1995 Brisbane stayed in Perth for the week and played Vs Freo and then us - they beat Freo and we smashed them

 

[arfadunger]

I'm pretty sure that this has been talked about before, and it was considered to not be a great idea. In fact, I think we did stay over in Melbourne for a week during the finals in the early 1990's.

The thing is that footballers are people, and people are creatures of habit and routine. Once you remove that routine you become less functional. Being away from home and family for 10 or 11 days at a time is a significant break of routine and any benefits from reduced travel are more than offset. I think that basketball and other sports get away with it because they only have a couple of days break between games and they're constantly on the go with no opportunity to think about what they're missing out on.

 

[Bunnie]

Major flaw with this is that quite a few fellas have work or study commitments that would make this plan unworkable.

 

[bodazoka]

definitely worthy of consideration. The argument that Victorian teams wouldn't like it because it would mean less travel for us could not possibly be valid.

If the idea ever gains momentum and is sudjested to the AFL you will see them come out of the woodwork.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Major flaw with this is that quite a few fellas have work or study commitments that would make this plan unworkable.

They are professional footballers.

"Sorry, but I have a uni assignment due this week so won't be able to make it."

Yeah, right.

 

[Bunnie]

They are professional footballers.

"Sorry, but I have a uni assignment due this week so won't be able to make it."

Yeah, right.

They may be professional footballers but they are still encouraged to be gainfully employed/studying etc by the club with the new breed guidelines. In fact, this is the case for most of the AFL clubs. For example McKinley is studying law and Swift is studying medicine. The mini tour idea would require that they put their studies for their other professions on hold for x amount of years while they play footy. Wouldn't be feasible, and our club shouldn't expect them to. Footy isn't a lifelong career and young footy players should be encouraged to be training for other career paths during their playing years to have something to fall back on when it is all over.

When they are not on the road and are bumming around Perth and getting into trouble this mini tour idea won't seem so good.

 

[Mr Eagle]

They are professional footballers.

"Sorry, but I have a uni assignment due this week so won't be able to make it."

Yeah, right.

Lots of players are studying something or have other commitments at the behest of the club - they would need at least a season's warning so future arrangements could be adjusted.

 

[Vigour]

I'm pretty sure that this has been talked about before, and it was considered to not be a great idea. In fact, I think we did stay over in Melbourne for a week during the finals in the early 1990's. .

yep, I'm sure in was done in late 80s (but not in finals), think we played in Brisbane then down in Melbourne, the experience has always put us off a repeat.

I think it still has merit, eg a mini-tour down the coast from Bris to Sydney to Melbourn then back to Perth (or even say Tas to Melb to Sydney and return.)

down side is impact on routines and managing the squad over the time, but potential upside is say 12 days away to get a monh or more settled in Perth.

other complication is that one here and one away routine also revolves around Freo and tv coverage etc.,but you'd think it could be arranged to that there's still a game at Subi every week?

 

[Marlin01]

When they are not on the road and are bumming around Perth and getting into trouble this mini tour idea won't seem so good.

Or even worse, when they are on tour with nothing to do, no friends and family around. I think it would be asking for trouble in that regard.