Reserves to Return

[TradeDraft]

By Kim Hagdorn
14 August 2012 04:45PM EST
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RADICAL moves are afoot from Victorian-based AFL power clubs to form their own breakaway reserves competition.

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  Luke Hodge (pictured) made his comeback through the VFL.

If the bid is successful and wins endorsement from enough Melbourne-based AFL clubs, the new competition could be up and running in time for next season.
The sweeping change to Victoria’s second-tier football landscape is expected to be a front-end agenda item at a full meeting of AFL club chief executives in Melbourne next week ahead of the league’s Round 22.
The breakaway clubs will form a stand-alone, breakaway competition with no affiliation to the existing and declining VFL.
Early details are sketchy but it appears traditional long standing power club Essendon are the prime movers in the radical plan.
Other traditional heavyweight clubs Collingwood, Carlton, Hawthorn, Geelong, Richmond and St Kilda are all believed to be supporting the plan.

This would be Fantastic if this happens as the Allignments with the VFL Clubs are not working. Also would mean the Reserve Teams can play at Teams Old Local Grounds

http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2012/08/14/new-league-push-for-afl-power-clubs/

 

[Underdog]

Would almost spell the end for the VFL you'd imagine.

 

[Neville Bartos]

Yep, there'd be no need for the VFL if that happened

 

[crownie]

Yep, there'd be no need for the VFL if that happened

why?

its just going back to the way things were.

 

[MaddAdam]

Still reckon the AFL will fund all teams to have a stand alone team as an attempt at footy dept equalisation by the back door.

 

[Blackas87]

Would almost spell the end for the VFL you'd imagine.

Yep, there'd be no need for the VFL if that happened

The VFL is already basically dead, no one cares about it, get back some of the traditional clubs and drop the TAC cup and let the up coming draftees play in the VFL just like what happens in the SANFL and WAFL

and i think there is already a thread on this

 

[gimp!]

Still reckon the AFL will fund all teams to have a stand alone team as an attempt at footy dept equalisation by the back door.

For next season you think?

 

[L_W_P]

Essendon are the prime movers in the radical plan.
Other traditional heavyweight clubs Collingwood, Carlton, Hawthorn, Geelong, Richmond and St Kilda are all believed to be supporting the plan.

So what are Melbourne, Footscray and North planning to do?

 

[MaddAdam]

For next season you think?

Maybe not next season but possible.

Anyway, I very much doubt this breakaway plan could work.

The AFL would have to license players to be in it no? AFL listed players that is.

If the AFL doesn't approve of this comp, it will simply say anyone who plays in it is forbidden from playing in the AFL.

The AFL will not allow a comp it doesn't have serious if not total control over to emerge.

 

[gimp!]

So what are Melbourne, Footscray and North planning to do?

Round Robins every week down at Keon Park.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Would almost spell the end for the VFL you'd imagine.

Or partially revive it, giving the clubs back their own identity.

 

[BLPC08]

Overdue IMO. The VFL has gone beyond a joke, they have what four byes each? There is always going to be a conflict of interest between the AFL team and the VFL allignment team. Keep them seperate, go back to the way it was before.

 

[Magic Mike]

Geelong and Collingwood are the only clubs with their own reserves teams, which has contributed to them getting a leg up ahead of the rest of the competition.

Once the rest of the clubs get their own reserves teams, the playing field will be more even.

 

[TradeDraft]

So what are Melbourne, Footscray and North planning to do?

Don't think they would have enough money to have a Stand-Alone Side

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

The VFL is already basically dead, no one cares about it, get back some of the traditional clubs and drop the TAC cup and let the up coming draftees play in the VFL just like what happens in the SANFL and WAFL

and i think there is already a thread on this

Agree. I like the TAC cup so maybe keep that somehow, maybe make it an under 17s comp and let the 18s play in the VFL prior to beign drafted. Not sure how that would work, maybe go back to zones in terms of where they play in the VFL. Problem with that is you might run the risk of draft manipulation a bit

 

[Pykie]

Don't think they would have enough money to have a Stand-Alone Side

No doubt the AFL will be making money out of it.

There's no way they will agree to a leech on their financial situation.

I dare say it will be set up the same way the U/20 Toyota Cup comp in the NRL is, games telecast on Fox Footy etc, sponsorship for the league etc...

 

[TradeDraft]

No doubt the AFL will be making money out of it.

There's no way they will agree to a leech on their financial situation.

I dare say it will be set up the same way the U/20 Toyota Cup comp in the NRL is, games telecast on Fox Footy etc, sponsorship for the league etc...

Would love a Underage Comp that was on TV(Fox Footy)

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Long overdue. The VFL needs to focus on being what it should be - the elite level of local footy.

 

[SM]

Maybe one step closer to a national reserves comp?

I feel the NEAFL is already a trial of sorts for this, with conferences.

 

[bombermick]

The current situation of having 4 or so byes every season can't continue - it's impossible bringing players back into the seniors. But it makes it harder to find the next Barlows of the world - without them competing against AFL players prior to being drafted.

 

[Pusswah]

Maybe Fremantle and West Coast could join your pool party. Fremantle can bring a keg and West Coast could bring something else to get things pumping.

 

[Doss]

You would presume all of these reserves teams would use the former suburban home grounds, which will be nice.

 

[telsor]

Maybe Fremantle and West Coast could join your pool party. Fremantle can bring a keg and West Coast could bring something else to get things pumping.

Then both claim credit and say the comp would only exist because of them.

 

[Kwality]

Maybe one step closer to a national reserves comp?

I feel the NEAFL is already a trial of sorts for this, with conferences.

Can the AFL pick up the tab for a Vic only competition - surely the clubs would have to pay their way?

 

[AndyLucimitis]

Overdue IMO. The VFL has gone beyond a joke, they have what four byes each? There is always going to be a conflict of interest between the AFL team and the VFL allignment team. Keep them seperate, go back to the way it was before.

This - there has been discussions on the Carlton board that playing too long in the VFL team is actually hindering development.

From a Carlton perspective, Matthew Watson was really just spinning his wheels in the Northern Blues and not seeming to be improving. Through injuries Carlton were forced to play him, and whilst he has a long way to go, has had some good games and certainly hasn't disgraced himself in the senior team.

Sub-standard grounds, questionable focus and intensity, lack of continuity with the byes really just add up to a two-bit competition that needs to be put out of its misery. Feel sorry for the Ports and Frankstons etc but it has to be done.