WAFL and SANFL alignment

[SellarStardom]

With the SA and WA state leagues both suffering from similar "experiments" by their respective commissions, I see a need for members to push for an alignment of the two states and to bring about a more balanced and effective model for the development of football outside of Victoria.

The following is what I would be pushing for to get things into a better position.

1. Remove both football commissions and create a State League Commission that overseas the development of the game in WA and SA (to be expanded into other states). This would ensure that their is one voice when dealing with the AFL as they work off the divide and conquer approach ith each state league at the moment
2. Both leagues manage the AFL reserve clubs in the same way. Each of Port, Adelaide, West Coast and Freo have their own clubs in the WAFL and SANFL respectively and are ineligible for finals. The AFL clubs are effectively treated as mini FA cup matches akin to the English Football Association competition, the difference being that they play for premiership points
3. Both the SANFL and WAFL introduce promotion and relegation and become actual WA and SA leagues not Perth and Adelaide football leagues as they currently operate. In an SA sense, this would see the Southern league, Murray League, Hills League, Amateur league and possibly the West cost and SE league A grade finalists playing off against each other following the H&A season to gain promotion. It would either be a 1 up and 1 down or 2 up and 2 down model. IN WA this would see the southern, Goldfields and Midwest leagues playing off to select a club or two for promotion
4. Arrange broadcast rights with Channel 9 and Optus. Dont align to the AFL, but create an alternative.
5. If all the above worked and there was sufficient increase in spectators and media, then move to create a Championship League which would run nationally and form a true second tier comp to the AFL administered by the State League Commission. This would have the top 2 clubs from the WAFL, SANFL and possibly 1 from the TSL and non aligned VFL clubs. This would provide a strong foundation for players that miss the AFL draft and for other over age players looking to enter the AFL. It would continue with 9 and Optus for media.

The non-Victorian leagues need some revitalisation of football as we know it will slowly die and be reduced to an under 18 competition in each state and the AFL and very little in between other than suburban amateur competitions.

 

[The_Reaper]

Just create an AFL reserves league to fix things

 

[MortlockWatcher]

Agree totally, Reaper - get an AFL Reserves competition and a lot of these problems will be solved.

Promotion and relegation would never be on the table in WA there is a great financial and facility disparity between state leagues and the next tier down in WA (even the standout clubs at that level).

Amateur football is the next step down and the WAFL and WAAFL are worlds apart - don't even consider that option. Most clubs play in open spaces without perimeter fencing around the boundary and the grounds are not enclosed so clubs don't earn revenue from gate takings (the WAAFL only charge for Grand Finals played at WAFL grounds or the few remaining enclosed venues from the old Sunday League).

In terms of country football, it's not like other states, where there are many large towns a stone's throw away from the capital city. From Perth, the nearest viable option is Bunbury (2 hours away).

The travel factor would mean that clubs from SWFL (approx. 2 hours each way), Goldfields (over 7 hours each way) and Great Northern (over 4 hours each way) would not be interested as the costs would greatly outweigh the benefits and it would be highly unlikely for these clubs to make more money in the WAFL. You won't get much more than current crowds as supporters of current WAFL clubs are not going to go to away games Kalgoorlie or Geraldton and are unlikely to travel to Bunbury and to be fair, people in these regions are more concerned with their local league than the WAFL. Then there is the effect on local leagues.

To be frank, these clubs don't have the depth of WAFL clubs and would be mere whipping boys and they would be down straight away. They had the chance to expand in the 1990s and sent the idea skidding on its ear. It won't be considered again.

Also, what would you do with the Perth-based side? The Amateurs are no home for such a side as they would win every game by embarrassing margins in A Grade.

The WAFL struggles as it is with profile and crowds, but this would in no way be a benefit, more likely be a detractor.

 

[footyman13]

Just create an AFL reserves league to fix things

Can't, and won't work.

 

[Kram]

Just create an AFL reserves league to fix things

Too much travel and expense.