Competition "What If" Wednesdays - Time Traveller Sneezes Edition: List Development III - IDEA SUBMISSIONS OPEN

[cannavo]

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
IDEA SUBMISSIONS REOPENED
FOR THE FINAL TIME!



Quite a pleasant surprise from my end, the show must go on!
By the Doc's calculations, an extra 10 weeks will put us within reach of the upcoming 2026 FJDG World Cup!
So we shall fill in the time between then and now

The window for submitting your ideas is open for the final time!

There are currently 65 timelines
Unlike the 2nd instalment, not every idea will be split into each category and the best from each one get chosen.
I'll have every accepted idea polled all together and the 10 with the most votes will be added to the list

Time to put your wildest dreams forward for one final time!
Let's go beyond the standard relocation or merger and add in outside factors that have a massive effect on what could be!

You have 1 week to submit them in this thread (15/12/25 - 22/12/25).
Then I will poll them for 3 days and the 10 most voted will be added

This will overlap with the current competition so the winner of the current week (65) will choose from the current list and the winner of the following week will be able to choose from the current list with the 10 new ideas
​

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PLEASE NOTE: To avoid a flurry of duplicates or similar ideas, here are the previous 2 threads where ideas were first put forward for you to get the ideas flowing

Competition - "What If" Wednesdays - Time Traveller Sneezes Edition: List Development - COMPLETED

IDEA SUBMISSIONS CLOSED Welcome to the list development of Huge thanks to the 10 likers giving this the green light Swooping_Magpie Andonis1997 El_Scorcho Zoops just_kick_it SunsphereParker TheDoctor11 BringBackTheAnchor akkaps Supercheapgiants Unlike the original version of "What If"...

www.bigfooty.com

Competition - "What If" Wednesdays - Time Traveller Sneezes Edition: List Development II - RESULTS ARE IN!

IDEA SUBMISSIONS CLOSED CLICK THE 3 LINKS TO SEE RESULTS https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/what-if-wednesdays-time-traveller-sneezes-edition-list-development-ii-league-transfers-relocations.1387433/...

www.bigfooty.com

Here is the original "What If" Wednesdays Hall Of Fame thread for inspiration

Resource - "What If" Wednesdays - Hall Of Fame

What started as a small list of well known "What If"s The community got together and dug up some relics and made this list to compile 60 alternate timelines We honour those who made these a (kinda) reality! Easter egg - Nearly all weekly titles make up this background All Past Results...

www.bigfooty.com

For those seeing this for the first time, give the current comp thread OP a read

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/thre...-65-hawthorn-remain-as-the-mayblooms.1404490/

Please put all your ideas into one reply, and I'll reply with a check or cross next to your ideas inside the reply. Go nuts!
​

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Alternate timelines with categories
Bold - Completed with poll results

Mergers

• Melbourne - St Kilda merger (1995)
• Tasmania - Fitzroy Merger
• Sydney - Fitzroy Merger
• Gold Coast Suns seek merger with Sharks to stay alive
• Fitzroy - Brisbane (Fitzroy Bears)
• Tasmania agree to merger with North Melbourne
• Port Melbourne granted VFL licensed but only if they merge with Fitzroy
  • Tiebreaker Poll
• Williamstown merge with Footscray – 1989
• Norwood / Port Adelaide AFL merger (1991)
• South Melbourne - Footscray merger
• South Melbourne - North Melbourne merger

Relocations

• Saints relocate to NZ
• Essendon relocate to NT to become Alice Springs
• Hawthorn relocate to Canberra
• Fitzroy relocate to Canberra
  • Tiebreaker Poll
• Fitzroy relocate to Brisbane in the 80s (Prior to the Bears existing)
• South Melbourne relocate to Tasmania
• South Melbourne relocate to Canberra
• Fitzroy complete move to North Sydney - 1980
• Footscray relocate to Queensland - 1981
• Fitzroy relocate to Perth - 1981
• GWS relocate to Canberra
• Melbourne relocate to Mars
  • Tiebreaker Poll
• Fitzroy relocate to South Africa - 1997
  • Tiebreaker Poll

League transfers

• West Coast Eagles to the SANFL
• Brisbane Bears to the SANFL
• Fitzroy to the SANFL - 1981
• Footscray to the SANFL - 1981
• Adelaide Uni to the SANFL - 1991 (cannot use only black and white)
• Collingwood to the SANFL - 1997
• East Perth to the VFL - 1980
• Norwood to the AFL
• Launceston to the AFL
• Essendon to the WAFL
  • Tiebreaker Poll
• Perth to the AFL (Merger of Perth, East Perth & West Perth)
• Glenelg to the AFL - 1997
• Geelong West to the VFL - 1976
• Swan Districts to the AFL - 1991

New Teams

• Port Adelaide crows join the AFL - 1991
• Papua New Guinea enter the AFL
• Limestone Coast join the SANFL
• Mount Gambier join the SANFL
• Sydney enter as a separate team (Bloods stay in Vic)
• Darwin join the AFL - 1991
• Public Service Football Club join the VFL
• Gold Coast fold, new North Queensland team take their place - 2030
• NZ enter 90's State of Origin
• Broome become the 2nd WA AFL team
  • Tiebreaker Poll
• Gold Coast hijack Brisbane Bears VFL entry - 1986
• Hobart to the AFL (Can't use Devils branding)
• Newcastle team to the AFL
• Southwest of WA to the AFL
• Tea Tree Gully & Modbury merge to make tenth SANFL team (2014)

Colour Corner

• West Coast Eagles VFL kits altered due to Williamstown sharing the same colours
• GWS keep their 'Team GWS' colours
• Port Adelaide retain their Magenta
• Adelaide's hurried concept
  (Adelaide board hastily attain clothes from local sport store and use the 5 colours to design their new AFL team)
• Fremantle keep Red & Green, remove Purple & White
• Williamstown join the VFL in 1925 - design a late '90s/early '00s clash/away guernsey for them (1995-2005)

Specials

• Hawthorn release Ochre jumper - 2000
• Skittle's sponsor Essendon and release special guernsey
• Heidelberg Warriors align with Collingwood for 1 season - 1996
• Melbourne remain as 'The Invincible Whites'
• Collingwood remain as 'Britannia'
• Carlton remain as 'The Cockatoos'
• Hawthorn remain as 'The Mayblooms'
• BigFooty X Gold Coast Suns (BigFooty becomes the majority stakeholder, and primary sponsor of Gold Coast, requesting a new jumper set with the deal)

Cross-Code Craze

• Newcastle Knights to the VFL - 1988
• Cronulla Sharks to the AFL - 1998
• South Sydney Rabbitohs to the AFL

 

[Roylion]

I'm surprised that one merger that came incredibly close to actually happening hasn't been done.

Melbourne and Fitzroy 1986 and also 1994 to become the Melbourne Lions.

Another little known fact is that in 1996 the South Australian Cricket Association made a proposal to Fitzroy for a merger with Norwood to become the Norwood Lions.

The AFL themselves proposed a joint venture between Fitzroy and Port Adelaide for the "Port Power Lions" so that the new entry would have a chance of a Melbourne supporter base. I'd love to see that jumper!

The AFL proposal read....

"PPFC (Port Power Football Club) and FFC (Fitzroy Football Club) would enter into a joint venture agreement under which:

1. FFC would surrender its licence to play in the AFL competition subject to "The Port Power Lions" being granted a new licence by the AFL.

2. PPFC and FFC would continue as independent entities with their own members and their own board of directors. However all members of the PPFC and FFC would automatically become members of the Port Power Lions. PPFC and FFC would retain their social clubs but they would carry the banners of the Port Power Lions. The net profit of each social club would be contributed to the 'Port Power Lions'."

 

[cannavo]

I'm surprised that one merger that came incredibly close to actually happening hasn't been done.

Melbourne and Fitzroy 1986 and also 1994 to become the Melbourne Lions.

Another little known fact is that in 1996 the South Australian Cricket Association made a proposal to Fitzroy for a merger with Norwood to become the Norwood Lions.

The AFL themselves proposed a joint venture between Fitzroy and Port Adelaide for the "Port Power Lions" so that the new entry would have a chance of a Melbourne supporter base. I'd love to see that jumper!

The AFL proposal read....

"PPFC (Port Power Football Club) and FFC (Fitzroy Football Club) would enter into a joint venture agreement under which:

1. FFC would surrender its licence to play in the AFL competition subject to "The Port Power Lions" being granted a new licence by the AFL.

2. PPFC and FFC would continue as independent entities with their own members and their own board of directors. However all members of the PPFC and FFC would automatically become members of the Port Power Lions. PPFC and FFC would retain their social clubs but they would carry the banners of the Port Power Lions. The net profit of each social club would be contributed to the 'Port Power Lions'."

Melbourne Lions was done in the original "WI"W competition - https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/what-if-wednesdays-week-3-melbourne-lions.1080644/

I'll accept the Norwood Lions and Port Power Lions ideas

 

[Fizzler]

I’ll carry over my two proposals I made in the recent comp thread:

Victoria Racing Club backed team entering in 1925 instead of Footscray.

All encompassing Vic Country team entering around 1960 after Bendigo and Ballarat bids failed but before country zoning became a thing.

And another idea I just had is a design for any AFL club if the Super League war happened in footy instead of rugby league and the club joined the rebel league.

 

[Roylion]

Melbourne Lions was done in the original "WI"W competition - https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/what-if-wednesdays-week-3-melbourne-lions.1080644/

I'll take a look

I'll accept the Norwood Lions and Port Power Lions ideas

The Adelaide Crows also made a merger approach to Fitzroy in 1996 to form the Adelaide Lions. Not sure if this has been done anywhere.

 

[BigChippa52]

nz into the afl 90s?

north sydney bears to the afl?

East Adelaide SANFL team

north freo stay in the wafl

freo (AFL) wafl ressies team

 

[Sam Hall]

Red Bull given the 20th AFL licence. (If I can only put one forward it’s this one)

Port Adelaide Storm (1997) - Must use Melbourne Storm Colours

Geelong and Holden Sponsorship Anniversary Guernsey

Western Suburbs Magpies leave the NRL for the AFL (2000)

Central District given 17th AFL licence (2011)

 

[PhenomenalV1]

Here's one I don't think has been picked yet: What if Carlton buying shares in North in the 80s lead to a merger/hostile takeover?

Premiership put an end to merger talk: Elliott

Former Carlton president John Elliott says it was only the success of Carlton that scuppered merger bids with St Kilda and North Melbourne in the 1990s.

www.theage.com.au

 

[terrybull]

Richmond near broke in 1990, relocate to Hobart to become the Tasmanian Tigers

 

[Swooping_Magpie]

Geelong-Geelong West merger

 

[cannavo]

I’ll carry over my two proposals I made in the recent comp thread:

Victoria Racing Club backed team entering in 1925 instead of Footscray. - Curious to see how this one plays out

All encompassing Vic Country team entering around 1960 after Bendigo and Ballarat bids failed but before country zoning became a thing.

And another idea I just had is a design for any AFL club if the Super League war happened in footy instead of rugby league and the club joined the rebel league. This could be its own competition/portfolio, I like the idea though it'll be a bit messy for a one week comp, perhaps if it were focused around 1 team

nz into the afl 90s? A very similar idea was done in Week 35 (NZ enter 90's SoO)

north sydney bears to the afl? NRL cross-code seems to be popular

East Adelaide SANFL team

north freo stay in the wafl They'd most likely continue using their black and white jumpers given they entered before Swan Districts

freo (AFL) wafl ressies team As is the case with most ressie teams, not a whole lot of creativity in this unfortunately

Red Bull given the 20th AFL licence. (If I can only put one forward it’s this one) Spicy, though will they be representing an area or just come in as 'Red Bull AFC'?

Port Adelaide Storm (1997) - Must use Melbourne Storm Colours We'll give this one another go

Geelong and Holden Sponsorship Anniversary Guernsey This one too

Western Suburbs Magpies leave the NRL for the AFL (2000)

Central District given 17th AFL licence (2011) This was brought up in the 2nd list development thread and I said it'll be the same as Week 22 (Footscray to SANFL)

Here's one I don't think has been picked yet: What if Carlton buying shares in North in the 80s lead to a merger/hostile takeover?

Richmond near broke in 1990, relocate to Hobart to become the Tasmanian Tigers

Geelong-Geelong West merger

Thanks for the suggestions, find your replies for a check or cross and reasons

 

[Sam Hall]

Thanks for the suggestions, find your replies for a check or cross and reasons

We will go with "Red Bull Football Club" but the location can be wherever anyone wants within Australia.

 

[its been done]

Brisbane Broncos enter the VFL in 1987 instead of the NSWRL in 1988. The Lions had a training guernsey just this year that looked like a possible Broncos AFL guernsey

 

[terrybull]

Fitzroy and Richmond merge to become East Melbourne Ligers

 

[jumperfan]

Murray Bridge to the SANFL - 1975 (don't merge Ramblers and Imperials though - we've had enough red-white-blue merger jumpers!)

Southport take over Gold Coast to play as the Gold Coast Sharks - 2026 (use colours from both clubs)

St Kilda or Geelong (feel free to choose one - couldn't make up my mind) to wear Ireland-inspired guernsey after signing all the best young Gaelic talent - 2026

Chinese-Australian community in eastern Melbourne become hugely powerful football-supporting demographic and enter Box Hill Dragons into AFL after they deem Hawthorn's colours too ugly to warrant support - 2070

An AFL club is sponsored by LEGO and will wear a one-off LEGO-inspired guernsey - 2026 (again, feel free to choose a specific club)

Orange or Armidale is chosen as the location for the new Australian capital, grows to 500,000 residents by 1991 when it receives an AFL licence alongside the Crows - 1991 (feel free to pick one)

A second Geelong side enters in 2035 after massive population growth in the region

Gold Coast fully embrace the pink and rebrand with it as their main colour - 2027

Lavington, Albury and Wodonga Bulldogs merge to enter the AFL - 2040

Tasmania are sponsored by Cadbury and wear a one-off jumper including purple to acknowledge this - 2030

GWS enter as the Parramatta Pink Panthers - 2012 (this didn't get chosen last time but I'm throwing it in again)

Are you ready for Cross-Code Craze - NRL edition? (possibly better off as its own thing but I'll throw them in anyway)

Weagles join the NSWRL instead of the VFL - 1987

South Melbourne defect to the NRL as the Canberra side - 1981

Because of the above the Raiders join the AFL instead - 1981

Carlton form a Melbourne NRL team in the mid '90s - 1995

 

[cannavo]

Brisbane Broncos enter the VFL in 1987 instead of the NSWRL in 1988. The Lions had a training guernsey just this year that looked like a possible Broncos AFL guernsey The training top says it all I'm afraid, colours too similar to the Bears limiting creativity

Fitzroy and Richmond merge to become East Melbourne Ligers

Murray Bridge to the SANFL - 1975 (don't merge Ramblers and Imperials though - we've had enough red-white-blue merger jumpers!)

Southport take over Gold Coast to play as the Gold Coast Sharks - 2026 (use colours from both clubs) This idea started this spin-off in Week 1

St Kilda or Geelong (feel free to choose one - couldn't make up my mind) to wear Ireland-inspired guernsey after signing all the best young Gaelic talent - 2026 I'll make it Geelong given St Kilda has one in the list already

Chinese-Australian community in eastern Melbourne become hugely powerful football-supporting demographic and enter Box Hill Dragons into AFL after they deem Hawthorn's colours too ugly to warrant support - 2070 Go Bok Hill!

An AFL club is sponsored by LEGO and will wear a one-off LEGO-inspired guernsey - 2026 (again, feel free to choose a specific club) This'll be fun

Orange or Armidale is chosen as the location for the new Australian capital, grows to 500,000 residents by 1991 when it receives an AFL licence alongside the Crows - 1991 (feel free to pick one) Making things more streamline, let's do Orange (closer to ACT)

A second Geelong side enters in 2035 after massive population growth in the region

Gold Coast fully embrace the pink and rebrand with it as their main colour - 2027 Not bad though it wouldn't change a whole lot from their Gather Round one

Lavington, Albury and Wodonga Bulldogs merge to enter the AFL - 2040

Tasmania are sponsored by Cadbury and wear a one-off jumper including purple to acknowledge this - 2030

GWS enter as the Parramatta Pink Panthers - 2012 (this didn't get chosen last time but I'm throwing it in again)

Are you ready for Cross-Code Craze - NRL edition? (possibly better off as its own thing but I'll throw them in anyway)

Weagles join the NSWRL instead of the VFL - 1987

South Melbourne defect to the NRL as the Canberra side - 1981

Because of the above the Raiders join the AFL instead - 1981

Carlton form a Melbourne NRL team in the mid '90s - 1995

So basically the first 2 are for context and the ideas that can be used are 'Canberra Raiders to the AFL' and 'Carlton make an NRL' team similar to Heidelberg/Collingwood's NSL venture I assume