Expansion Proposals for a Truly National AFL

[Tonatopia]

The clubs ARE the AFL.

But keep 50% of the revenue for their own brain farts and woke engineering platforms.

No. The club's are the club's, and the AFL are holding them to ransom.

And Wookie would have to be the most biased moderator on earth.

 

[RedV3x]

But keep 50% of the revenue

Does the EPL advance soccer ?

 

[threenewpadlocks]

But keep 50% of the revenue for their own brain farts and woke engineering platforms.

Ah yes, it was the AFL that pushed for the speedy introduction and the ahead-of-schedule expansion of the AFLW and ... not the ... ... clubs... ah damn, it was the clubs!

 

[The_Wookie]

But keep 50% of the revenue for their own brain farts and woke engineering platforms.

AFLW, national under 17/19 championships, nab league, auskick, NEAFL, AFL Queensland (QAFL), AFL NSW/ACT (AFL Sydney/AFL Canberra), AFL Tasmania (TSL), AFL Victoria, facilities funding, and the AFLPA.

No. The club's are the club's, and the AFL are holding them to ransom.

The clubs appointed the AFL Commission in the first place, the clubs can overturn league decisions -if they can find enough of them to do so.

And Wookie would have to be the most biased moderator on earth.

Well. I think thats gone far enough. Your thread is now locked.
You can request a review of this decision from a Supermod or an Admin.

 

[kranger]

Even though this graph uses data from 2 censuses ago, it really shows the difference between the big 5 Australian Cities, and all the others. And why it would be difficult to get a new AFL team to be located in a new host city (including the struggle in the Gold Coast).

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure/pab/soac/files/2012_05_INFRA1360_MCU_SOAC_CHAPTER_2_WEB_FA.pdf

 

[RedV3x]

And why it would be difficult to get a new AFL team to be located in a new host city (including the struggle in the Gold Coast).

No. No evidence what so ever.

 

[BigChippa52]

Nz / second tassie team

 

[BigChippa52]

Hobart/Tassie team

 

[BigChippa52]

Darwin/1st nt team

 

[BigChippa52]

woodville warrirors moden day concpet/ alice springs warriors

 

[BigChippa52]

3rd queensland team townsville bears/carins bears or a diffrent alice springs concept

 

[BigChippa52]

png team png cheifs/sprit/diffrent alice springs concpet As cheifs/spirt

 

[TapRuck]

Some thought provoking discussion and positive moves forward on this quirky thread.
As a footy fan I feel the game would prosper under SOME of the proposals by OP.
A truly national competition with 4 or more divisions would be a real positive in my eyes. The proposed structure is more exciting than the current bland system we are running with. It also would make for closer and more passionate football.

Spread the clubs, open the market and enjoy our game at it’s very best without the puppetmasters pulling the strings each week.

 

[madmug]

Some thought provoking discussion and positive moves forward on this quirky thread.
As a footy fan I feel the game would prosper under SOME of the proposals by OP.
A truly national competition with 4 or more divisions would be a real positive in my eyes. The proposed structure is more exciting than the current bland system we are running with. It also would make for closer and more passionate football.

Spread the clubs, open the market and enjoy our game at it’s very best without the puppetmasters pulling the strings each week.

The AFL was created to save the VFL clubs, most of whom were basically bankrupt in the 1980's.

The AFL have all the power. They won't let that go. They won't spend any more on lower leagues/divisions than the bare minimum, or less, which they currently do. EG the Tasmanian state league.

Its not like UK, a small area. where a much larger population & many 100 yo clubs means its easier for them to run lower leagues & have promotion/relegation. Even bigger places like the USA don't have an EPL style system.

One could design a better national system, but too many vested interests ensures it'll stay with the current lopsided structure & power arrangements.

 

[ExpatAussie]

Interesting OP.
It seems there is a lot of hostility towards the concept of relegation, for some strange reason.

Just for perspective, this is the English Soccer Tables;

 

[madmug]

Interesting OP.
It seems there is a lot of hostility towards the concept of relegation, for some strange reason.

Just for perspective, this is the English Soccer Tables;

I wouldn't be hostile, it'd be great.

Its just the cost, population size, population spread, travel, history, other sports footprint & the AFL's control & comfort zone which I see as some of the impediments.

 

[ExpatAussie]

I wouldn't be hostile, it'd be great.

Its just the cost, population size, population spread, travel, history, other sports footprint & the AFL's control & comfort zone which I see as some of the impediments.

The current talk about private ownership in Tasmania is promising. In saying that, the burden would then belong with the stakeholders of the club to maintain profitability. Why would the AFL deny the most efficient and cost effective form of expansion possible?

The OP's argument of 12 teams per division, and at a minimum, a 2 division system, would solve the immediate problems that the AFL is facing, that is the entry of participants from Darwin, Tasmania and possibly Canberra, while also allowing clubs like North Melbourne to rebuild without the extreme pressure of competing against finely tuned clubs like Melbourne.

As Mudmug has mentioned, I think the main issue is the inelasticity of the AFL community, ie, "the AFL's control & comfort zone which I see as some of the impediments".

A privately funded entry into Tasmania would do very well I think. And as the OP has suggested, maybe so would London. I know as an Australian living in Colombia, any excuse for an expat gathering is greatly appreciated.

 

[Rob]

Interesting OP.
It seems there is a lot of hostility towards the concept of relegation, for some strange reason.

Just for perspective, this is the English Soccer Tables;

It's not relegation per se, it's that you'd have to scrap the draft and salary cap to get it.

 

[Scotland]

Carlton vs Collingwood just drew 80,000 people to the G. It was 40,000 a few years ago with an unfavourable timeslot when neither team were much chop.

If both teams were relegated to AFL2 the fixture would be lucky to get 25,000.

 

[ExpatAussie]

Carlton vs Collingwood just drew 80,000 people to the G. It was 40,000 a few years ago with an unfavourable timeslot when neither team were much chop.

If both teams were relegated to AFL2 the fixture would be lucky to get 25,000.

I think the crowd for a Carlton V Collingwood game, both vying for a Div2 Premiership and promotion to Div1, possibly on the back of a rebuild with a young and talented list, would get a very healthy crowd. Based on examples in the English Soccer League, sometimes the opportunity for promotion from Div2 can net bigger crowds than dead rubbers in the Premier League.

 

[ExpatAussie]

I'm watching the 'Sunderland till I die' documentary on Netflix.

Crowds of over 30,000 people are known to watch Div3 games, when supporter expectations are high. This is for clubs based in cities with populations of less than 300k.

Just saying.

 

[Rob]

I'm watching the 'Sunderland till I die' documentary on Netflix.

Crowds of over 30,000 people are known to watch Div3 games, when supporter expectations are high. This is for clubs based in cities with populations of less than 300k.

Just saying.

Loved that series. Shame they didn't keep making it.

Point of difference: most AFL clubs struggle to get 30k to games now off their own bat. Melbourne couldn't even draw that on the weekend coming off a flag, a winning streak and cheap tickets at the MCG. They'd be lucky to get 5k playing in the 3rd division against the Albany Arsebandits at Casey.

 

[Bostonian]

Some thought provoking discussion and positive moves forward on this quirky thread.
As a footy fan I feel the game would prosper under SOME of the proposals by OP.
A truly national competition with 4 or more divisions would be a real positive in my eyes. The proposed structure is more exciting than the current bland system we are running with. It also would make for closer and more passionate football.

Spread the clubs, open the market and enjoy our game at it’s very best without the puppetmasters pulling the strings each week.

Nobody cares about GWS or GCS now.

Why would adding more new teams from areas nobody cares about make it more exciting?

 

[Underarm]

I'm watching the 'Sunderland till I die' documentary on Netflix.

Crowds of over 30,000 people are known to watch Div3 games, when supporter expectations are high. This is for clubs based in cities with populations of less than 300k.

Just saying.

Maybe we should start a football club in Sunderland then.

 

[ExpatAussie]

Nobody cares about GWS or GCS now.

Why would adding more new teams from areas nobody cares about make it more exciting?

Promotion and relegation is very exciting.
Imagine following Essendons journey to relegation. Seriously enthralling.