AFL Expanding to 18 clubs

[Roofrom50]

I think this is a stupid idea from the AFL. Apparently a Sydney team is being introduced into the AFL and another in the next couple of years.

I dont see the point in it. Firstly, all the comotion about money. How are they going to spend a million dollars a year for every club, that's going to be too much. Then they will need players, so they will ask other teams to give up some of their players, which clubs won't do, because they have spent money and time in developing these players as their own, they aren't going to give up their players just so they can make new teams.

STOP trying to change the game, LEAVE it as the way it is

 

[punterpupnroy]

Well i like it. Only because it will make the fixtures fairer. But the problem is, those teams more than likely will be languishing at the bottom.

 

[Roofrom50]

Well i like it. Only because it will make the fixtures fairer. But the problem is, those teams more than likely will be languishing at the bottom.

But then they'll have to extend the season to play everyone. And the season goes long enough for players already, think about injuries and fatigue for the players having to play 24 games, and then possibly finals so 27-28 games a year

 

[punterpupnroy]

Well, from a spectators point of view, that is fine. From a players point of view it may not be. Well in my opinion i wouldn't care if it went longer, only because i love footy, and it also allows player more time to recover from injuries if they sustain a serious one early on in the season.

 

[mattfb]

Well i like it. Only because it will make the fixtures fairer. But the problem is, those teams more than likely will be languishing at the bottom.

No chance. I hate AFL but I am a pasionate enough Sydney sider to hate to see any Sydney side come down the bottom... Unless its League, then I only care for Stgeorge

Anyway, I think its a good idea. I might actually watch a game with the 2 Sydney sides in it

 

[Roofrom50]

I just think it would be too much work for the AFL. I mean they are already giving 6 Melbourne teams 1 million + a year to keep them in the competition. ie. Kangaroos, Melbourne. There going to have to spend money on players, sponsors, grounds and everything.

They can't manage the game they have now, let along 2 extra clubs. But that's my opinion

 

[Sman-21]

Unlike when WA teams and Adelaide teams first joined they dont have a great state league to pull players out of and into the AFL.

So there going to have to give these new teams extra money to be able to buy players from other teams.

Theres too many teams in melbourne as sad as it is for there fans 2 of the smaller membership supported teams will have to relocate.
Its the only way it can work.

18 teams is too many and the smaller melbourne clubs will lose their players and struggle more for sponsorship an supporters etc.
And instead of 2 teams being relocated an keeping some of there name/history these teams will be wiped out in a few years.

 

[punterpupnroy]

And instead of 2 teams being relocated an keeping some of there name/history these teams will be wiped out in a few years.

Why is that, unless they all want to leave the relocated club. It will be the same team, but different young players going in to the clubs.

 

[Sman-21]

what i mean is if a couple of melbourne teams DONT merge/relocate.

an the afl then go an add these 2 new teams to make it 18 teams

A couple of melbourne teams will have to fold due to losing players to the new teams and not enough sponsors/supporters to make enough money to continue.

Theres a couple of melbourne teams already struggling to survive if new teams come in waving cash at there players a fair few will jump ship.
The club will then struggle even more and sponsors an supporters drop off.
Club dies.

The AFL warned the melbourne teams that if they refuse to merge/relocate and cant support themselves they wont be saved by the afl anymore.

 

[angryangy]

There is a degree of mistruth to the concept of financial support. The AFL arranges televised games to make the most money. Teams with the most local support tend to get the most Friday and Saturday night games. Now, as these teams take a share of the profit, an imbalance occurs. The AFL redistributes a portion of the takings to compensate the teams which do not get as many opportunities to draw a large crowd. Similarly, there are teams who are compensated in their salary cap for their location and the added cost of keeping players in the team away from their home state. For the AFL to pull funding like this would simply be unfair.

There is no way players would be allowed to simply wander off to a new team without compensation for their original team. In the mid-nineties, some Melbourne clubs actually benefited from the creation of new teams, as they acquired resources that established teams would be unwilling to give up. Meanwhile, the salary cap protects clubs from headhunting.

The new teams planned are at the Gold Coast and western Sydney. I can't see either acquiring a strong legion of fans in any hurry. While Sydney and Brisbane had total area dominance to see them through the dark times, both clubs are now rather successful and well liked. While Freo can rely on support regardless of results, how do we expect a team to fair, not only in direct competition with a prominent club, but also sitting in the middle of an NRL heartland? Carrara holds less than 20,000, while the AFL propose to construct a 25,000 seat venue in Sydney for the other new club. These clubs are going to be far more dependent on hand outs to subside than any current club.

 

[Roofrom50]

it'll be interesting to see what the AFL do in this situation. Personally i am against bringing in 18 teams, i just dont think it's tradition.

 

[punterpupnroy]

Well Victoria may fall apart, but in my opinion that wont worry me too much. Just as long as the top eight is competitive and with a thrilling finals series.

 

[.::Stevo::.]

Ok if they want to extend to 18 teams then their HAS to be a Tasmanian team. I still can't believe there isn't one already.

I dont know where the 18th team would be based. I dont think Gold Coast would work. Brisbane are struggling with members so what good would another team do? Plus the stadium isn't exactly that big.

And the same goes with a West Sydney team, correct me if im wrong but im pretty sure their rugby crazy out there. But i guess its a risk they have to take if they want to keep spreading.

 

[Roofrom50]

i agree, there has to be a Tassie team involved somewhere.