VFL 2025

[Rickee]

Preston being given the flick over a tenth of what the AFL has wasted on Tasmania feels like a make or break point.

It's way past time the stand alone clubs left the VFL en masse, the AFL will continue to target them until none are left. I don't think it's likely the VFA can be revived, especially not without help from AFL Victoria, but they are way more secure at local or amateur level than at the mercy of the AFL. I'd expect Port to be on the chopping block next, we've not covered ourselves in glory since winning the 2017 flag and our financial position appears to be not great.

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

Preston being given the flick over a tenth of what the AFL has wasted on Tasmania feels like a make or break point.

It's way past time the stand alone clubs left the VFL en masse, the AFL will continue to target them until none are left. I don't think it's likely the VFA can be revived, especially not without help from AFL Victoria, but they are way more secure at local or amateur level than at the mercy of the AFL. I'd expect Port to be on the chopping block next, we've not covered ourselves in glory since winning the 2017 flag and our financial position appears to be not great.

Ive been hearing they are also looking to find other sources of revenue as they are moving away from pokies

 

[AussieNick1999]

Preston being given the flick over a tenth of what the AFL has wasted on Tasmania feels like a make or break point.

It's way past time the stand alone clubs left the VFL en masse, the AFL will continue to target them until none are left. I don't think it's likely the VFA can be revived, especially not without help from AFL Victoria, but they are way more secure at local or amateur level than at the mercy of the AFL. I'd expect Port to be on the chopping block next, we've not covered ourselves in glory since winning the 2017 flag and our financial position appears to be not great.

People keep saying this as if it's a given that every standalone club would not only find a local league to play in, but that they'd be viable in such a league. Frankston would have hard time being accepted by either the MPFNL or the SFNL (each of which has at least one Frankston club already) and from what I've heard the VAFA isn't interested either. And even if they did admit us, most of our supporter base have close ties to the various local clubs around the area and would probably choose them over us. Would that be the case for all of our clubs? Maybe not, but it's not a guarantee that any lower tier league would accept them.

The fact is that state level is where these clubs belong.

 

[Rickee]

People keep saying this as if it's a given that every standalone club would not only find a local league to play in, but that they'd be viable in such a league. Frankston would have hard time being accepted by either the MPFNL or the SFNL (each of which has at least one Frankston club already) and from what I've heard the VAFA isn't interested either. And even if they did admit us, most of our supporter base have close ties to the various local clubs around the area and would probably choose them over us. Would that be the case for all of our clubs? Maybe not, but it's not a guarantee that any lower tier league would accept them.

The fact is that state level is where these clubs belong.

There is no "state league level" any more, that's the point.

These clubs exist in limbo until the AFL either sets up a reserves competition or kills us all off one by one like some mask wearing psycho in a B grade horror film.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

People keep saying this as if it's a given that every standalone club would not only find a local league to play in, but that they'd be viable in such a league. Frankston would have hard time being accepted by either the MPFNL or the SFNL (each of which has at least one Frankston club already) and from what I've heard the VAFA isn't interested either. And even if they did admit us, most of our supporter base have close ties to the various local clubs around the area and would probably choose them over us. Would that be the case for all of our clubs? Maybe not, but it's not a guarantee that any lower tier league would accept them.

The fact is that state level is where these clubs belong.

If the standalone component was removed and the competition officially became the AFL reserves, it would all come down to how many players the clubs could keep. I could see Werribee in the Geelong league and one or two others having the depth of numbers and resources to continue on, but other clubs have so much dependence on local league players at present. These clubs would need to have seniors, ressies and under 19s to be admitted elsewhere but currently they have one team - a bridge too far for some teams to meet.

This is why unfortunately a "VFA mark II" would be tough to get up. Getting 30-odd more senior players and 25-odd under 19s would be a difficult task for some of these clubs in the current football landscape without merging with another club and the AFL aren't going to fund such a competition as it is out of their pathway system. These clubs would also need to have a junior affiliate to assist with their ongoing future viability.

The AFL reserves clubs will end up with supplementary list of 10 or so metro or country players (similar to what happens now with the VFL), which will make the purpose of a VFA II redundant to the football eco-system so the AFL and AFLV will not fund another competition at that tier other than AFLR.

 

[Dramoth]

Your club were the largest contributors to killing Preston, and you try and shift the blame to another.

Yeah, I was less than impressed with that. And I told Carlton about it quite loudly.

 

[Dogs till i die]

If the standalone component was removed and the competition officially became the AFL reserves, it would all come down to how many players the clubs could keep. I could see Werribee in the Geelong league and one or two others having the depth of numbers and resources to continue on, but other clubs have so much dependence on local league players at present. These clubs would need to have seniors, ressies and under 19s to be admitted elsewhere but currently they have one team - a bridge too far for some teams to meet.

This is why unfortunately a "VFA mark II" would be tough to get up. Getting 30-odd more senior players and 25-odd under 19s would be a difficult task for some of these clubs in the current football landscape without merging with another club and the AFL aren't going to fund such a competition as it is out of their pathway system. These clubs would also need to have a junior affiliate to assist with their ongoing future viability.

The AFL reserves clubs will end up with supplementary list of 10 or so metro or country players (similar to what happens now with the VFL), which will make the purpose of a VFA II redundant to the football eco-system so the AFL and AFLV will not fund another competition at that tier other than AFLR.

That's a very practical analysis on where the standalones sit and the stark situation they face should the current structure change and they are left without a funded competition.

I'm going to be a bit more unhinged and hysterical though and say it would vandalism if the AFL / AFL Vic allow the 7 Victorian standalones, with a combined 882 years of history wither without support.

 

[The_General#1]

I have so many questions how the Bullants got to this point. A lot is on them but a lot also sits with the governing bodies.
It’s a good lesson for Sandy. Make sure your house is in order and that you are competitive on field.

 

[AussieNick1999]

I have so many questions how the Bullants got to this point. A lot is on them but a lot also sits with the governing bodies.
It’s a good lesson for Sandy. Make sure your house is in order and that you are compatible on field.

Preston have struggled for a long time. Demographic changes in the inner suburbs means they have less supporters than they once did, being virtually dependant on Carlton during the alignment, competing with the nearby Coburg for local players and supporters. Not saying the previous administration doesn't share some blame in what's happened, but there is a lot that's gone against them over the past few decades. Some of it is club level, some AFL level, and some of it is just the changing demographics of Melbourne.

 

[Yoda_]

Im not certain but wasn't there so much uncertainty leading into 2025 that they were only admitted to a VFL licence late and as such they weren't getting the commercial backing others had from pre season. On top of that the list build was left too late and as such scrambled to put together the list they did.

Im with The_General#1, how did Preston get to this stage?

 

[Walshawk]

It is very sad but state League clubs like Preston simply are no longer viable. The landscape changed decades ago. Suburban league clubs have multiple teams and usually juniors so they have that community feel that is long gone from most of the old VFA clubs. $270k does not save them it merely postpones the inevitable. How many supporters would Preston get for a game v Frankston, or GWS? 100?

 

[The Kaiser Chief]

It is very sad but state League clubs like Preston simply are no longer viable. The landscape changed decades ago. Suburban league clubs have multiple teams and usually juniors so they have that community feel that is long gone from most of the old VFA clubs. $270k does not save them it merely postpones the inevitable. How many supporters would Preston get for a game v Frankston, or GWS? 100?

Agree
It is a bit like the Premier cricket clubs moving out to the suburbs .........all the VFL clubs can't be inner city.
Coburg being 5 minutes down the road isn't sustainable.

 

[bedford]

Agree
It is a bit like the Premier cricket clubs moving out to the suburbs .........all the VFL clubs can't be inner city.
Coburg being 5 minutes down the road isn't sustainable.

Too many Premier clubs

 

[madmug]

Would it be possible to resurrect the old div1 & div2? I remember that being successful back in the day. Either AFL sides in one & VFA in the other, or just rank them & have promotion & relegation???
I think it sad & pathetic just to axe historic clubs like Preston. Surely they deserve better treatment than that.

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

Would it be possible to resurrect the old div1 & div2? I remember that being successful back in the day. Either AFL sides in one & VFA in the other, or just rank them & have promotion & relegation???
I think it sad & pathetic just to axe historic clubs like Preston. Surely they deserve better treatment than that.

No it wouldn't be possible

 

[Yoda_]

AussieNick1999 who is the big tall defender from WA the Dollies are linked too?

 

[AussieNick1999]

AussieNick1999 who is the big tall defender from WA the Dollies are linked too?

First I've heard of this. Where did you hear it from?

 

[Yoda_]

First I've heard of this. Where did you hear it from?

 

[AussieNick1999]

Great news if true. We've had a gap in our backline ever since Max Williams left. I doubt I'll hear more about it until the club announces something. The club basically goes dormant over the summer as far as supporters are concerned so there's no way to hear rumours.

 

[troybe]

Hugh Dixon

41

Hugh Dixon

Age

27

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.0

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

0.0

1star

G

1.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.0

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.0

3star

T

0.0

1star

G

1.0

4star

has signed with Tassie for 2026

 

[Flyingleslieskite]

Hugh Dixon has signed with Tassie for 2026

Big losses for Southport, first Buzza then him. But they'll find a way to find players

 

[SeaSide]

Gill the Dill getting Meatloaf to do a halfbaked pre-game entertainment show was a joke. I don't mind the AFLW at all. I reckon it's money well spent considering that women make up more than 50% of the Australian population. I'd prefer to see the AFL throwing more money at the AFLW and treating it like a proper league instead of some post season entertainment. You know is the real waste of money by the AFL... the phat bonus cheques they write themselves at the end of the year after another "profitable" year for the mens league. That's the real waste of money.

Forget the $million$.
I enjoyed the military bands both pregame and at halftime.
Most AFL followers don't give a BRA about 'dog sniffers' or their friends and their sh!t music.
I also liked the goal-kicking competitions and long kicking at half time.
Can we bring back some 'Australianism' to our Australian showpiece?

 

[SeaSide]

People keep saying this as if it's a given that every standalone club would not only find a local league to play in, but that they'd be viable in such a league. Frankston would have hard time being accepted by either the MPFNL or the SFNL (each of which has at least one Frankston club already) and from what I've heard the VAFA isn't interested either. And even if they did admit us, most of our supporter base have close ties to the various local clubs around the area and would probably choose them over us. Would that be the case for all of our clubs? Maybe not, but it's not a guarantee that any lower tier league would accept them.

The fact is that state level is where these clubs belong.

You are right, AN, and unfortunately, if that's true, why persevere?
Try to get all the local clubs to amalgamate.
Frankston would then be the strongest suburban club in the world!!

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I think it’s inevitable the AFL clubs will peel off into their own Reserves comp in a couple of years and that will be the big tipping point.

VFL “clubs” could remain in this if they wanted but would have to be a full alignment, so Box Hill and Casey may go that way. Hawthorn seem okay with Box Hill but the Dingley move does push them further away. Nobody at Melbourne likes the link to Casey at all, everybody who leaves Melbourne admits it, it seems a strange marriage. Don’t know if it continues.

There could be a standalone VFL but it would have to be totally focused on development as that’s the only reason the AFL would support it in any way. I’d expect a heavy link to the Coates League clubs as a pathway for undrafted kids. Not sure it would be strictly Under 21 or Under 23, but there would probably be limits on the number of mature players as they’d want it about development.

Chargers - Port
Ranges ?
Stingrays - Frankston
Dragons - Sandy
Knights - Coburg
Jets - Willy

Perhaps Werribee need to be prepared to play games in Geelong and pair up with the Falcons. Likewise Port with Oakleigh. Although the Chargers are largely a homeless club anyway.

It’s the same argument back to the 90s when they disbanded the VFA and tried to link them up with the Under 18 clubs.

The final option would be local leagues or the VAFA, which would probably require a merger as you do need juniors / U19s and many local leagues won’t want to admit them as new clubs anyway. The Bullants have a ready made merger partner in the Bullants VAFA club.

To be totally blunt the Bullants really had no place in the VFL any more. They were terrible on field and clearly a shambles off it. If there’s any other VFL clubs in a similar state they can expect the same outcome. If they are at least financially stable and competitive then that will be a major asset for them as they won’t be a drain on the AFL - they can sustain themselves.

Preston need to forget the VFL and get on with getting the VAFA club into Cramer Street and working hard on connecting their past players with the new club. Offer something in a merger in terms of past player support, sponsorship. Then that’s name, ground, jumper, history secured. A hell of a lot more than many VFA clubs have ended up with.

 

[bedford]

I think it’s inevitable the AFL clubs will peel off into their own Reserves comp in a couple of years and that will be the big tipping point.

VFL “clubs” could remain in this if they wanted but would have to be a full alignment, so Box Hill and Casey may go that way. Hawthorn seem okay with Box Hill but the Dingley move does push them further away. Nobody at Melbourne likes the link to Casey at all, everybody who leaves Melbourne admits it, it seems a strange marriage. Don’t know if it continues.

There could be a standalone VFL but it would have to be totally focused on development as that’s the only reason the AFL would support it in any way. I’d expect a heavy link to the Coates League clubs as a pathway for undrafted kids. Not sure it would be strictly Under 21 or Under 23, but there would probably be limits on the number of mature players as they’d want it about development.

Chargers - Port
Ranges ?
Stingrays - Frankston
Dragons - Sandy
Knights - Coburg
Jets - Willy

Perhaps Werribee need to be prepared to play games in Geelong and pair up with the Falcons. Likewise Port with Oakleigh. Although the Chargers are largely a homeless club anyway.

It’s the same argument back to the 90s when they disbanded the VFA and tried to link them up with the Under 18 clubs.

The final option would be local leagues or the VAFA, which would probably require a merger as you do need juniors / U19s and many local leagues won’t want to admit them as new clubs anyway. The Bullants have a ready made merger partner in the Bullants VAFA club.

To be totally blunt the Bullants really had no place in the VFL any more. They were terrible on field and clearly a shambles off it. If there’s any other VFL clubs in a similar state they can expect the same outcome. If they are at least financially stable and competitive then that will be a major asset for them as they won’t be a drain on the AFL - they can sustain themselves.

Preston need to forget the VFL and get on with getting the VAFA club into Cramer Street and working hard on connecting their past players with the new club. Offer something in a merger in terms of past player support, sponsorship. Then that’s name, ground, jumper, history secured. A hell of a lot more than many VFA clubs have ended up with.

Chargers have been aligned to Port