What's wrong with the AFL ?

[telsor]

The WAFC get nothing from the AFL as far as I know. The Eagles and Dockers pay a dividend to the WAFC who own them which is the only money I know that comes out of the AFL system of sorts.

According to the 2015 Annual report, 'WAFC inc' got $2,537,270, up from $2,515,000 the previous year.

The consolidated entity (which includes WCE & Freo) obviously got far more.

http://www.wafootball.com.au/wafc/annual-reports (note 4 in the financials)

 

[Dr Whoooooooo]

1. He not a GWS supporter
2. It's exactly the same as saying your opinion doesn't matter if your a Bombers supporter, what do you hope to gain from it?

Thanks ... our assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.” - Isaac Asimov

 

[telsor]

There would be some tax difficulties, you would think.
The AFL gets away with classification as a "non-profit" non-taxable body only because of its larger role in running the sport as a whole.
This would be much more difficult to maintain for a body solely dedicated to running a professional sporting competition.

Can't say for certain, but don't most sporting bodies operate as NFP and thus remain tax exempt?

The WAFL doesn't lose it's NFP status because it doesn't 'run the sport as a whole'.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Can't say for certain, but don't most sporting bodies operate as NFP and thus remain tax exempt?

The WAFL doesn't lose it's NFP status because it doesn't 'run the sport as a whole'.

I think there may be an issue, but in tax law more than anywhere else, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, so I'm not going to say yes or no.

 

[BRWB]

Exact same moment for me too; actually this came to mind as well, I'm heartened to see someone else bring it up.

The problem with the AFL is simply corruption. Not nessesary in the traditional grab money and run scence; it's more insidious. It's a giant boys club which will compromise everything to protect its own (see Essendon drug scandal and their failed attempts to make it go away). They clearely meddled with the MRP when they let Hall play after blatantly striking someone, so I don't even have no confidence they don't interfere via the umpires either. They control their own media and have undue political influence in the country to back them up.

I stopped watching the AFL a while ago now; I only loosely follow it these days and frequent these boards mainly for SRP chat. The AFL has a WWE vibe to me, with none of the self awareness.

It started with introduction and almost immediate flags of the Eagles and Crows and Port. And then the extinction of Fitzroy. Then the COLA which saw Brisbane threepeat.

But I absolutely knew the AFL was corrupt when Hall got off in 05. It was a defining moment.

Since then we've seen the pattern recurring with ridiculous concessions to GWS. The punishment of Sydney for taking Buddy showed how the AFL can turn on even it's most favoured clubs. The use of twilight fixturing to punish clubs. The cover up and fixing of the EFC saga. The punishment of the Dees for tanking while refusing to call it tanking.

Like FIFA and the IOC the AFL is corrupt as hell.

I feel lucky that I witnessed a flag for my club as I have little doubt that it was never the intention that we should do so. The starvation diet of no Friday night home games. The obscene Docklands deal that sees tenants screwed to the wall (bar EFC of course), and in the Dogs case forced to sell home games interstate.

I genuinely feel for success starved fans of other clubs as GWS are almost certain to dominate the comp for the next few years.

I know a number of fans that are turning away from AFL sick of the fix always being in.

If GWS are as successful as the AFL plan while Sydney continue to compete (missing only 3 finals series in 20 years) - there is little room for clubs like Richmond to succeed. And as a Tiges fan I reckon you could wear that if you didn't have the ever increasing feeling that the AFL is nearly as tightly scripted as WWE.

 

[Farm Boy]

IMO they operate as a reactive group who pander to the media (who like to stir up controversy/outrage/sensationalism) in order to protect their "brand".

The problem is that their 'brand' is more important to the AFL - than the actual game of Australian Rules. The game of Australian Rules shouldn't be dictated and shaped by a business. The AFL protect their brand, and pander to business (TV rights, etc), but how about protecting the game. A game that has gone to sh*t in recent years and is now unplayable. Sooner fans realize the AFL is killing the game of Australian Rules the better. This is why I pray the AFL over capitalize and go under, and that way a break away league can start, and then we can get back to basic - commonsense - football.

 

[Beer n Skittles]

Nothing wrong with the AFL, there's just some things that refuse to be swept under the carpet

 

[Doss]

The AFLs problems largely come down to one issue.

They run a league, and the 'run the game', and all too often the two come into conflict.

What's best for the competition isn't always best for the game, and vice-versa and when they come into conflict they have to make a choice that will, inevitably, upset people.



They need to break the two up and stop pretending they have more than a passing relationship with each other.

Nail on head.

 

[DrEvil_]

Recently we have seen champions of the game , Hird and Cousins, who were alleged to have wrongly used drugs , banned from the game put under immense scrutiny and subsequently there lives have spiraled out of control.
On the flip side we have seen players caught red handed , banned and rightfully welcomed back with open arms.
There are many conspiracy theories as to the steps that occured involving the AFL during both the Hird and Cousin cases , with many close to those people very critical of the AFL.
Let's not forget that in both cases it has come to light that plenty others at the respective clubs were using.
For every Hird , Cousin and even Goodes story there are similar claims of miss treatment by relatively unknowns who have a involvement at grass roots level.
It would appear the brand is starting to get on the nose , primarily due to it's ongoing miss handling of big football personal issues and alleged creating of a scapegoats .
Thoughts.

WTF? Goodes does not belong in the this company.

 

[Bokonon_]

It started with introduction and almost immediate flags of the Eagles and Crows and Port. And then the extinction of Fitzroy. Then the COLA which saw Brisbane threepeat.

But I absolutely knew the AFL was corrupt when Hall got off in 05. It was a defining moment.

Since then we've seen the pattern recurring with ridiculous concessions to GWS. The punishment of Sydney for taking Buddy showed how the AFL can turn on even it's most favoured clubs. The use of twilight fixturing to punish clubs. The cover up and fixing of the EFC saga. The punishment of the Dees for tanking while refusing to call it tanking.

Like FIFA and the IOC the AFL is corrupt as hell.

I feel lucky that I witnessed a flag for my club as I have little doubt that it was never the intention that we should do so. The starvation diet of no Friday night home games. The obscene Docklands deal that sees tenants screwed to the wall (bar EFC of course), and in the Dogs case forced to sell home games interstate.

I genuinely feel for success starved fans of other clubs as GWS are almost certain to dominate the comp for the next few years.

I know a number of fans that are turning away from AFL sick of the fix always being in.

If GWS are as successful as the AFL plan while Sydney continue to compete (missing only 3 finals series in 20 years) - there is little room for clubs like Richmond to succeed. And as a Tiges fan I reckon you could wear that if you didn't have the ever increasing feeling that the AFL is nearly as tightly scripted as WWE.

If you saying that supporters should walk away because in your view other clubs will be successful over the next few years then the problem clearly isn't the AFL. It's lack of heart in the supporters. I have a lot of respect for supporters that turn up to games in the cold and rain when your team unlikely to win. I think they deserve everyone's respect, I think your assessment is just plain wrong and doesn't do supporters justice.
History shows it doesn't happen, clubs shrink more or less down times and grow in the good times. Many clubs benefit from extra support from the AFL when it begins to look like a fall that wont self correct. No-one wants another Fitzroy.
As for our " ridiculous" concessions there was serious concern as to whether we could make it. The quality of the club administration has so far shown that may have been misplaced. I cant apologise because my club is good at what it does.
If people were going to abandon AFL because of a new entry then surely we'd have seen that when WC entered. They were more scary than us, fir different reasons admittedly.

 

[BRWB]

If you saying that supporters should walk away because in your view other clubs will be successful over the next few years then the problem clearly isn't the AFL. It's lack of heart in the supporters. I have a lot of respect for supporters that turn up to games in the cold and rain when your team unlikely to win. I think they deserve everyone's respect, I think your assessment is just plain wrong and doesn't do supporters justice.
History shows it doesn't happen, clubs shrink more or less down times and grow in the good times. Many clubs benefit from extra support from the AFL when it begins to look like a fall that wont self correct. No-one wants another Fitzroy.
As for our " ridiculous" concessions there was serious concern as to whether we could make it. The quality of the club administration has so far shown that may have been misplaced. I cant apologise because my club is good at what it does.
If people were going to abandon AFL because of a new entry then surely we'd have seen that when WC entered. They were more scary than us, fir different reasons admittedly.

You seem a little sensitive old mate. I'm not criticising the GWS or asking their fans to apologise for anything.

I've watched my 40 yr old Tiges fan brother who has been a member for twenty years see his club win 2 or 3 finals in over 30 odd years of supporting. He has had enough - he can't see light at the end of the tunnel - he just sees the AFL setting up a club that will likely win more finals in its first six or seven years than he has seen his club win in half a life time.

But everyone enjoys listening to a fan of the GWS tell success starved fans of other clubs that they 'lack heart' because they are thinking of turning away from an openly corrupt and rigged AFL that has been set up to ensure GWS success.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

It started with introduction and almost immediate flags of the Eagles and Crows and Port. And then the extinction of Fitzroy. Then the COLA which saw Brisbane threepeat.

But I absolutely knew the AFL was corrupt when Hall got off in 05. It was a defining moment.

Since then we've seen the pattern recurring with ridiculous concessions to GWS. The punishment of Sydney for taking Buddy showed how the AFL can turn on even it's most favoured clubs. The use of twilight fixturing to punish clubs. The cover up and fixing of the EFC saga. The punishment of the Dees for tanking while refusing to call it tanking.

Like FIFA and the IOC the AFL is corrupt as hell.

I feel lucky that I witnessed a flag for my club as I have little doubt that it was never the intention that we should do so. The starvation diet of no Friday night home games. The obscene Docklands deal that sees tenants screwed to the wall (bar EFC of course), and in the Dogs case forced to sell home games interstate.

I genuinely feel for success starved fans of other clubs as GWS are almost certain to dominate the comp for the next few years.

I know a number of fans that are turning away from AFL sick of the fix always being in.

If GWS are as successful as the AFL plan while Sydney continue to compete (missing only 3 finals series in 20 years) - there is little room for clubs like Richmond to succeed. And as a Tiges fan I reckon you could wear that if you didn't have the ever increasing feeling that the AFL is nearly as tightly scripted as WWE.

Who is to say Brisbane would not of won 3 in a row without COLA?
Now if you never ever wanted the game to go national then I somewhat understand your comments, but by going national it can't be about just Victorian football and it's clubs. (For many it still feels this way though)
By going national if a side from Western Sydney wins a flag or a side from Victoria or SA or Wa then it is no different, they are simply crowned the best side in the comp.
Why is it unfair in your view for a Victorian club? What makes you feel one of those clubs are special? Just another club in a national league to most.

 

[SBYM]

This thread highlights exactly why I don't care anymore. I only follow the Reds and ORICA-BikeExchange.

The FA, FIFA, and the UCI stand as beacons for everything the AFL is not.

 

[Bokonon_]

You seem a little sensitive old mate. I'm not criticising the GWS or asking their fans to apologise for anything.

I've watched my 40 yr old Tiges fan brother who has been a member for twenty years see his club win 2 or 3 finals in over 30 odd years of supporting. He has had enough - he can't see light at the end of the tunnel - he just sees the AFL setting up a club that will likely win more finals in its first six or seven years than he has seen his club win in half a life time.

But everyone enjoys listening to a fan of the GWS tell success starved fans of other clubs that they 'lack heart' because they are thinking of turning away from an openly corrupt and rigged AFL that has been set up to ensure GWS success.

You posted a view on rhe main board. I responded with a different one, why is that defensive?
I always know an argument is drowning when someone claims to speak for everyone.

 

[BRWB]

Who is to say Brisbane would not of won 3 in a row without COLA?
Now if you never ever wanted the game to go national then I somewhat understand your comments, but by going national it can't be about just Victorian football and it's clubs. (For many it still feels this way though)
By going national if a side from Western Sydney wins a flag or a side from Victoria or SA or Wa then it is no different, they are simply crowned the best side in the comp.
Why is it unfair in your view for a Victorian club? What makes you feel one of those clubs are special? Just another club in a national league to most.

No one begrudges interstate club success on their merits. If it's a level playing field fine. But it's not and hasn't been for a long time.

It's long been part of the AFL's strategic plan to ensure interstate clubs success. And they have been successful in doing this. And it certainly has made the comp national and grown media rights.

The competition won't be even again until the GWS concessions wash out in about decade.

 

[SBYM]

I honestly wonder, though, what role people want professional sport to play in their lives.

We sure do (generally) engage in a great deal of hand-wringing around here.

 

[BRWB]

You posted a view on rhe main board. I responded with a different one, why is that defensive?
I always know an argument is drowning when someone claims to speak for everyone.

Last response mate - you seemed to think you were being asked to apologise for GWS success (when you weren't).

That old mate is the very definition of defensive.

 

[SBYM]

The competition won't be even again until the GWS concessions wash out in about decade.

I'd argue it will never be even, at least not until the fixture is sorted out.

 

[gavaniacono]

**** your spelling and grammar is atrocious.

Anyway- plenty of clubs tanked, yours included, so no need to whinge about another club.

Jeez ur thin skinned. Sensitive.
Wasnt winging abt ur club. Couldnt care less abt them. I was winging abt the AFL. The topic of this thread.

 

[Bokonon_]

Last response mate - you seemed to think you were being asked to apologise for GWS success (when you weren't).

That old mate is the very definition of defensive.

No, putting another view is not defensive.
Clearly there are a range of views, it's strange you would think people wouldn't respond, to me.I post views and they are challenged all the time, that's kinda the point.

 

[gavaniacono]

Exact same moment for me too; actually this came to mind as well, I'm heartened to see someone else bring it up.

The problem with the AFL is simply corruption. Not nessesary in the traditional grab money and run scence; it's more insidious. It's a giant boys club which will compromise everything to protect its own (see Essendon drug scandal and their failed attempts to make it go away). They clearely meddled with the MRP when they let Hall play after blatantly striking someone, so I don't even have no confidence they don't interfere via the umpires either. They control their own media and have undue political influence in the country to back them up.

I stopped watching the AFL a while ago now; I only loosely follow it these days and frequent these boards mainly for SRP chat. The AFL has a WWE vibe to me, with none of the self awareness.

Still love the game and watching any competitive match. Its hard to stop interest in a game one played from grade 1 at school. Interest is tempered though knowing certain manipulations happen.

 

[SBYM]

WTF? Goodes does not belong in the this company.

Yeah...what was it he did again? For us less informed types...

 

[darthbards]

I find the AFL is just all over the shop.
They are constantly changing rules which generally just causes a seperate problem,they do tend to put their brand ahead of anything else,they do appear corrupt. Brand protection can even be inconsistent,a star players indiscretions tend to be overlooked but a lesser player is made an example of.
They tend to put a lot of money into expansion and give concessions to help out but then all the fixturing etc seems to be based around what's best for the Victorian clubs. The GF always being played in the Victorian teams home state also seems to go against the idea of a fair competition.
The AFL seems like it can be a bit vindictive if you upset them,and the whole operation does appear to be a bit of a boys club.
On the plus side crowds seem OK and the game is as enjoyable to watch as ever although it has changed a bit but that is always inevitable,especially now that it's professional.

 

[CF]

The biggest problem with the AFL is it's a NFP organisation making millions in profits for who? There's no shareholders or owners. And some clubs become very rich, yet where does the money go? Definitely not invested back into the sport (I'm talking of the profits here, they do invest money into the sport), or to make it better for the supporters. They keep putting costs up, yet we see clubs making multi million dollar profits every year. The AFL run the sport to make money, to keep bums on seats, and milk corporate and TV dollars, yet for who? This is what's fundamentally wrong with the AFL. Administrators are feathering their own nests with big wages from our money and membership fees, so they need to keep the money machine ticking over. I don't believe Professional sporting codes should be allowed to be a non-profit organisation and be exempt from paying tax.

 

[Trip3101]

Theres like 700 AFL players. If the average turnover is 5 years thats like 2000+ players just since the year 2000. And you can name two who have got themselves into a bad way. So thats 0.01 %