18 teams by 2012. Presidents are unaminous!

[evo]

LOL @ some people arguing this is a good idea.

And leysy of all people too,he's ussually pretty sane

 

[Leysy Days]

he is? :headscratch

;D

 

[capitaltige]

I don't like this at all. I don't think that more teams will necessarily improve things - for the game or its appeal - any more than adding more horses to the Melbourne Cup would improve it. I also don't like that Demo and the presidents can agree this, regardless of the wishes of fans and even players (as there will be more travel, less money for existing clubs, etc.)

Why this urge to get bigger and bigger, and outdo the other codes? (Hate to sound cynical, but I can almost imagine the honchos of each code getting together to say "Mine's bigger than yours".) Supposedly it's for more money, through better tv rights - but as a fan, I feel that the tv coverage is not necessarily improving with the recent increase in funds - unless you want to pay for Foxtel.

I also feel that Demo's loyalty should be towards existing clubs, before starting up new ones that will compete with the strugglers for funds (wherever those funds come from - tv, members, gates or the AFL itself). Of course, he would respond that he offered the Gold Coast to North - but what is the point of starting new teams as others fold? Starting new teams is expensive and disruptive; it's like recruiting new employees - generally better to keep the ones you have!

Yep nothing like keeping the old clubs who do nothing and ad nothing to the comp just cause they have always been around. Its about time people realised that the AFL is a brand competing with many other brands to be successful and make a profit which in turn is used to promote and expand again, there are a couple of clubs who should have been shown the door years ago, its sad but a reality. What the RFC needs to do is be clever and look outside the square to ensure we survive into the new century, clubs like Collingwood and Essendon are sadly leaving us behind in the grab for fans outside their traditional areas.

 

[AstroboyUK]

it has to happen sooner or later- and as Demetriou points out - when is the right time? I'd much rather the League is on the front foot, plans well (unlike Bears) and makes it happen than wait and wait and wait until the market forces the AFL to act, but not on its own terms.

There are lots of pro-s and cons - but who now would say going National was a mistake- and remember how many people then said 'it will destroy the game'. These extra two teams is a sensible, and well calculated risk with far less impact to the culture of the game than going National was. It wont be brilliant overnight, but niether was the transistion from VFL to AFL. Innovation and progress are not necessarily bad things- just look at the IPL. Ambitious, bold, scary to some people - but everyone is starting to understand that the new paradigm in Cricket is something to be embraced and enjoyed.

Embrace it fellas, you just might like an equitable 18 round draw, derbies in Sydney and Brisbane, the final nail in the coffin of NRL, the need to bring in more Irish players and accelerate players from Africa, Richmond true National Premiers...

 

[Willo]

it has to happen sooner or later- and as Demetriou points out - when is the right time? I'd much rather the League is on the front foot, plans well (unlike Bears) and makes it happen than wait and wait and wait until the market forces the AFL to act, but not on its own terms.

There are lots of pro-s and cons - but who now would say going National was a mistake- and remember how many people then said 'it will destroy the game'. These extra two teams is a sensible, and well calculated risk with far less impact to the culture of the game than going National was. It wont be brilliant overnight, but niether was the transistion from VFL to AFL. Innovation and progress are not necessarily bad things- just look at the IPL. Ambitious, bold, scary to some people - but everyone is starting to understand that the new paradigm in Cricket is something to be embraced and enjoyed.

Embrace it fellas, you just might like an equitable 18 round draw, derbies in Sydney and Brisbane, the final nail in the coffin of NRL, the need to bring in more Irish players and accelerate players from Africa, Richmond true National Premiers...

It's probably a bit of the unknown that's a bit off putting Astro. How the drafting works, sourcing players etc.

Suggestion should be clubs that have finished in top bracket over say, the past 4 years give up more players than those who have experienced less successful results. Perhaps a sliding scale from top to bottom. afl always want to even the competition, here's their chance in one go.

 

[Leysy Days]

problem with that Willo, is players will be plucked in 2011.

You know what happens at Richmond that year ;D

 

[Willo]

problem with that Willo, is players will be plucked in 2011.

You know what happens at Richmond that year ;D

Probably right Leysy. Just our luck, success finally comes our way and we get dudded again.
Better off suffering for a few more years if that's the case. :

 

[tigerjoe12]

does anyone know the real reasons tassie are being left off this list?

it seems as though they are reserving that space for an imminent victorian departure/merge

 

[johnson2richo2003]

In regards to the 2 new teams Eddie everywhere mentioned on sen this morning that the AFL wont make the same mistake as what happened to brisbane inparticular by "rushing" a side.Going by his comments and rumours doing the rounds,Both new sides will participate in the draft[likely this years]and those players selected to play in the local clubs until the 2 clubs are up and running.

 

[Willo]

In regards to the 2 new teams Eddie everywhere mentioned on sen this morning that the AFL wont make the same mistake as what happened to brisbane inparticular by "rushing" a side.Going by his comments and rumours doing the rounds,Both new sides will participate in the draft[likely this years]and those players selected to play in the local clubs until the 2 clubs are up and running.

They'll start stockpiling early I think skipper. The draft will be diluted a bit if that's the case.
There better not be any trading away our early picks.
Better still, better do trades to get more earliesh picks.

 

[HeadandShin]

Yep nothing like keeping the old clubs who do nothing and ad nothing to the comp just cause they have always been around. Its about time people realised that the AFL is a brand competing with many other brands to be successful and make a profit which in turn is used to promote and expand again, there are a couple of clubs who should have been shown the door years ago, its sad but a reality. What the RFC needs to do is be clever and look outside the square to ensure we survive into the new century, clubs like Collingwood and Essendon are sadly leaving us behind in the grab for fans outside their traditional areas.

Why do you say that the old clubs do nothing and add nothing? How can you guarantee new clubs would do/add more? Why is the "brand" angle of the AFL more important than anything else? Why the need to "promote and expand again", which suggests we should aim for an ever-increasing league?

Footy seems to be getting more and more popular already in its current form: why not keep it "niche"?

Lots of people support more than one code - would adding more clubs make me switch from the Tigers and the Victory to the Tigers and Gold Coast? If Richmond went under, I would be unlikely to switch to a new team - I would probably just follow the Victory, because AFL would be too painful without the Tiges.

I imagine in a few years, we will have some very sad fans without a team (if North, WB, etc fold), and new teams with a shallow fan base because they lack the tradition.

Agree with you re our marketing cf Dons and Pies.

HnS