Expansion Should Victorian AFL Clubs fly north to NSW and Queensland every winter ?

[Bunk Moreland]

Evens up the travel schedule a bit

and if big vic clubshave to suffer for there being too many teams invic instead of interstate sides we might get some movement on the issue.

How is some stupid, random idea to send them interstate for a few weeks making them suffer “for there bring too many Vic clubs?”

The two aren’t even related. The OP mentioned nothing about there being too many clubs.

You’re twisting this thread into something that it’s not even remotely about.

Go start a thread about folding or relocating clubs if that’s your go.

 

[kranky al]

 

[kranky al]

How is some stupid, random idea to send them interstate for a few weeks making them suffer “for there bring too many Vic clubs?”

The two aren’t even related. The OP mentioned nothing about there being too many clubs.

You’re twisting this thread into something that it’s not even remotely about.

Go start a thread about folding or relocating clubs if that’s your go.

No

 

[Kwality]

I did read it properly. There’s a bit there about better weather and that’s it.

Why not just bring the Victorian competition, rivalry and everything to the northern states for a few weeks every season...the true footy fans will turn up...create the atmosphere.

 

[cartwright]

Wait wat?

i think the op had the idea that the vic clubs were to play each other there

Ah right. Yeah outside of this pandemic that’s never going to happen.

 

[kranky al]

Ah right. Yeah outside of this pandemic that’s never going to happen.

I dont have it as something eds going to champion by the chins of his chinny chin chins

 

[adammania9]

I'd love for Collingwood to travel more. We've always played marvellously on the road.

 

[speedpeck23]

You want to take a number of home games off clubs and further fu** up the fixture just for... for what reason?

Reason...Expansion... You're probably too young to remember from 1979 when Hawthorn played North at SCG (Attendance 31,000) and then a further 7 VFL matches played between Victorian based clubs throughout 1980 and 81 which averaged 16,000 each in attendance. Apart from 1986 and 87 (when they made the finals) it took the Sydney Swans 14 seasons before they could match and then consistently surpass the attendances of 79,80,81. Since GWS joined the AFL Sydney Swans attendances have further increased.

Clearly other factors influence this....on field performance, improvement of venue etc. But the main deal going on is highlighting the competition between clubs rather than promoting individual clubs. The point I'm making is that you have to bring the AFL competition to NSW and Qld rather than expecting GWS and Swans to carry the load. Clubs like Collingwood , Geelong, Ess have critical mass support in Northern states.

Obviously you don't take blockbusters from the MCG but pretty much like is happening now in WA. You bring 2 big clubs to Sydney or Qld and package a number of matches against local clubs. Do it during winter, do it during school holidays in Victoria,,, Effectively you get a higher presence of AFL for a 2 or 3 week burst in the Northern states...eg 5 matches over 3 weeks in Sydney... Gee v Swans, Ess v Giants , Gee V Ess (assume played at G earlier in season), Ess v Swans Gee v Giants.. Sell series tickets etc.. Similar idea to the NRL magic round in Qld. Obviously need to wait until COVID resolves ....so long time coming I guess.

 

[Kwality]

I'd love for Collingwood to travel more. We've always played marvellously on the road.

& playing an extra couple of games on the road will still keep the non travel advantage in favour of the Pies. The mayor of Townsville wants to see the Pies in town.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

The reason being that theres too many clubs in one city

And theres nothing being done about that.

Nor will there be, the AFL don't want to lose fans and money by killing off the poorer Melbourne clubs. And supporters will fight any attempts to merge. If your desired outcome is the Perth teams gaining some of the privileges that Melbourne teams enjoy, a better way would be banging the drum for a third Perth team.

 

[Kwality]

Nor will there be, the AFL don't want to lose fans and money by killing off the poorer Melbourne clubs. And supporters will fight any attempts to merge. If your desired outcome is the Perth teams gaining some of the privileges that Melbourne teams enjoy, a better way would be banging the drum for a third Perth team.

A 3rd team in Perth will be another drain* on the AFL, If you were starting with a blank canvas there would certainly be 3 or 4 WA clubs.
The travel issue will be higher profile if/when we get a vaccine for Covid.

* based on 2019 AFL financials.

 

[speedpeck23]

Ah right. Yeah outside of this pandemic that’s never going to happen.

Nobody predicted the pandemic either

 

[speedpeck23]

Nor will there be, the AFL don't want to lose fans and money by killing off the poorer Melbourne clubs. And supporters will fight any attempts to merge. If your desired outcome is the Perth teams gaining some of the privileges that Melbourne teams enjoy, a better way would be banging the drum for a third Perth team.

Better to grow the existing clubs.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Better to grow the existing clubs.

I don't think West Coast has any issues with growth.

 

[Kwality]

I don't think West Coast has any issues with growth.

Yep & the Eagles wont turn a profit this year - having a waiting list wont make any difference.

 

[speedpeck23]

I don't think West Coast has any issues with growth.

Sure, but the AFL will still want them to maximize their potential......ie have strong supporter base wherever they play... that will still take years. If they play in Sydney/Brisbane you want a big turn up. Having truly big national clubs is key to AFL expansion. Whilst they are a big club the fact that they have only been around for 30 odd years means they still have massive growth potential. The bigger Victoria clubs have more expansive supporter bases purely because of their longevity....they are a key part the basis on which the AFL is attempting to grow the game in NSW and Qld. West Coast needs to do the same. That is far more useful to the game than just adding another team which will just be playing catch up with the Eagles and Freo for years and not be an effective contributor to the game nationally.