VFL to merge with NEAFL, under-18 comps revamped in massive changes to AFL’s second tier

[The Prosecutor]

Can't be far away from a full-scale national reserves competition.

I could imagine this being great for talent development for NSW and Queensland teams too.

The VFL will merge with the league for the Queensland and New South Wales clubs, and the under-18s system will be revamped in a dramatic reshaping of the AFL’s second tier.

The league announced on Monday the NEAFL would be absorbed into Victoria’s state league competition, with 2021 to be “a year of transition”.

The Victorian clubs as well as Sydney, GWS, Brisbane and Gold Coast will be allowed to either field their own teams in the new VFL, align with an existing team or spread their players across multiple clubs.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...s/news-story/0cfbfd1d7e4f92160f01ab17fb9994d0

 

[Kwality]

Can't be far away from a full-scale national reserves competition.

I could imagine this being great for talent development for NSW and Queensland teams too.



https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...s/news-story/0cfbfd1d7e4f92160f01ab17fb9994d0

This is a cost saving exercise, the devil is in the detail.

 

[Rob]

That doesn't really say much - are the NEAFL clubs all going to be playing in the expanded VFL, or just go back to their respective local leagues?

 

[Colonial]

That doesn't really say much - are the NEAFL clubs all going to be playing in the expanded VFL, or just go back to their respective local leagues?

Looks like they have a choice.
Join this EAFL or go back to State league.

 

[Rob]

Looks like they have a choice.
Join this EAFL or go back to State league.

Same with the 4 reserves teams.

Which means they haven't merged anything, they've just abolished the NEAFL.

 

[Kwality]

Looks like they have a choice.
Join this EAFL or go back to State league.

Who pays, remember its about cost saving ...

 

[Colonial]

Who pays, remember its about cost saving ...

No idea, reading it like everyone else

 

[Jibroni]

As long as they leave the SANFL and WAFL comps alone it seems reasonable; but sadly that wont happen.

 

[fargothegreat]

I doubt many of the non-AFL clubs will be able to afford the interstate travel required for this league.

 

[magpiemaniac44]

I doubt many of the non-AFL clubs will be able to afford the interstate travel required for this league.

Probably all stand alone VFL teams bar Willy unless teams re align again

 

[Speck]

I doubt many of the non-AFL clubs will be able to afford the interstate travel required for this league.

That's the most confusing part of this change. How will that work? Will there be a conference system to keep teams as local as possible?

 

[Who are ya]

I doubt many of the non-AFL clubs will be able to afford the interstate travel required for this league.

I’d imagine travel and accommodation would be funded by the AFL

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Are there any actual details on this released?

Is it just Sydney, GWS, Gold Coast and Brisbane joining the VFL or do the other NEAFL Clubs, like Broadbeach, Sydney Uni etc also join? Wouldn't they just get destroyed by the VFL sides? NEAFL standard is more akin to Amateur footy is it not? How is the travel going to work? VFL sides going to fly up to Gold Coast? Or will they try and align Reserves matches with League sides and only send teams up there if they're playing an AFL affiliate that is also going up?

 

[Starburns_]

The most interesting part of this is the changes to the underage football. Making it under 19s but keeping the draft age at 18 should provide a more even spread of draftees. Later round picks should theoretically come into the league better prepared due to the extra year spent developing.

I doubt many of the non-AFL clubs will be able to afford the interstate travel required for this league.

Reckon that's why alignment is back on the table. Some Victorian clubs won't be able to afford to stay standalone with covid cuts and increases VFL overheads.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

The most interesting part of this is the changes to the underage football. Making it under 19s but keeping the draft age at 18 should provide a more even spread of draftees. Later round picks should theoretically come into the league better prepared due to the extra year spent developing.



Reckon that's why alignment is back on the table. Some Victorian clubs won't be able to afford to stay standalone with covid cuts and increases VFL overheads.

Hopefully, see more kids picked up as 19 year olds as they'll probably have an easier time showing their wares off against kids than grown men in the Reserves

 

[Oscarman]

Tasmania wont be in the VFL next year or ever then.

 

[kaiserchief13]

Is this just a short term thing that will be fixed by 2022?

 

[CrowdedHouse]

Richmond just pulled the pin on fielding a side in the VFLW next year.

With the already announced decision by North to pull their men's side out of the VFL, surely there will be more dominoes to fall.

The question is... who is next?

 

[living_in_syd]

Not sure this makes sense. Travel expenses will be through the roof.

 

[Kwality]

No idea, reading it like everyone else

imo, only the AFL teams are shoe ins

As long as they leave the SANFL and WAFL comps alone it seems reasonable; but sadly that wont happen.

The AFL need to fix their own backyard, i.e Melbourne, the 2nd tier ie the VFL.

 

[Kwality]

I doubt many of the non-AFL clubs will be able to afford the interstate travel required for this league.

The AFL wont need to take responsibility, save face.

 

[Arwib]

I doubt many of the non-AFL clubs will be able to afford the interstate travel required for this league.

Not sure this makes sense. Travel expenses will be through the roof.

How do people think Southport, Canberra, Sydney Uni, Redland and Aspley, and the AFL clubs, were managing basically the same travel imposts in the NEAFL last year.

 

[Kwality]

Are there any actual details on this released?

Is it just Sydney, GWS, Gold Coast and Brisbane joining the VFL or do the other NEAFL Clubs, like Broadbeach, Sydney Uni etc also join? Wouldn't they just get destroyed by the VFL sides? NEAFL standard is more akin to Amateur footy is it not? How is the travel going to work? VFL sides going to fly up to Gold Coast? Or will they try and align Reserves matches with League sides and only send teams up there if they're playing an AFL affiliate that is also going up?

Its about saving money, so less not more.
AFL clubs only, what to do with the NAB/TAC teams, follow the SA/WA models, what the VFL had.

 

[Kwality]

Is this just a short term thing that will be fixed by 2022?

Until the AFL rids itself of the line of credit funding.

 

[Arwib]

I think creating a large second tier comp with lots of teams is probably intended to provide lots of recruitable semi pro guys to fill short term needs when the AFL list sizes are cut and the mid season draft and supplemental signing periods are expanded.

Sort of like casualisation of the bottom part of the AFL talent pool but putting them on rookie wages and less secure contracts.

If so, the bloat would be by design.