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Norm Smith Medallist
Jeez, someone is bitter.Gold Coast Suns are a disaster and were never going to be anything else but a disaster! The Gold Coast population isn't big enough to sustain an AFL team, fact. From the get go it had fail naming themselves the Suns as opposed to the Sharks. Then marinating themselves in this orange snotty looking training guernsey is horrendous. Yes I know, if the guernsey was another colour it wouldn't get anymore bums on seats. Even when Collingwood, Essendon etc play there, the crowd is still a disgrace.
The only players the Suns will ever attract are either totally burnt out or just can't get on another list. Utter waste of money and the AFL should be ashamed! Brisbane Lions were on the decline when the Suns entered the AFL, time and resources should've been aimed at them. You're trying to promote a brand that little Jonny looks up to and wants to be part of. Suns entering the AFL has just sent the Lions into an even bigger downward spiral.
Putting a NEAFL team in Cairns would be another waste of cash, time and resources. The old 'oh but there is plenty of ex pats up this way' just doesn't fly. I mean cmon, enough ex pats to fill a stadium on the GC or in Cairns, give me a break it is not feasible. So what's the solution. Well it's difficult now that the AFL have brought the Suns into the comp. AFL should've made the Lions the jewel in the crown of Queensland AFL and them alone. You just have to look at all the comps North of the GC, all made up of 5-6 team comps. The interest just isn't there.
Are the AFL having a go at trying to make AFL enticing in Queensland, yes they are. But, they need to keep focused on these leagues before thinking about a NEAFL team. Perfect world you would fold the Suns like it never happened, but I understand this won't happen, the AFL has already screwed that up, epically. And what is all this bullshit going hard at promoting women's football in Queensland, yet they haven't got the men's league healthy! They have a real fixation with women's football, and if the AFL keep this as a priority, the code will continue to be stagnant.
So. Forget this NEAFL talk. Stop prioritising women's football. Focus on getting the local league more enticing and healthy. And for the love of god try and get people into these leagues that actually know what they are doing. The money the AFL has spent on the Suns and possibly a NEAFL team, could be used on employing people who actually know the mechanics of the code. You will find that 'most' head honchos employed throughout the Queensland region know diddly squat about the game.