The expansion of the AFL to 18 teams by 2012 has been a hot topic recently; most dialogue around the shape of the draw: 2 or 3 conferences and 10 team finals. Then there is the suggestion from North Melbourne’s Shinboner of the Century, Glen Archer: leave it as it is.
What earns much less airtime is the health of the current teams on the eve of further expansion, particularly the existing non-Victorian expansion clubs. The AFL is about to embark on its toughest challenges yet, non-traditional AFL territory: SE Queensland and Greater Western Sydney.
Early into season 2010 we saw dominance from the Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans both in the pointy end of the top 8. Perfect! On the eve of the introduction of Gold Coast next year and Greater Western Sydney in 2012, what better way to introduce new clubs than with a successful existing club paving the way in these non-traditional AFL markets? Putting the AusKick footy into kids’ hands all over town!
Sydney Swans V Brisbane Lions
With the completion of the mid-season split round, 6 Victorian teams make up the top 8 along with Fremantle and Sydney. Whilst the Swans remain in the top 8, “dominant” is not an adjective that springs to mind as they battle to hold on to a finals berth against Victorian clubs: Carlton, Hawthorn & North Melbourne.
Brisbane wanted 2010 to itself before the arrival of GC17. A revamped Lion logo (traditional Fitzroy faithful – cringe, insert Paddle Pop comments) and a top up of its playing list with experience including former Carlton Headline Fevola. Brisbane would have loved to add to its triple premiership success less than 10 years ago. Timing wise, it would have been ideal for a successful 2010 campaign for the Lions, particularly with a large number Queensland kids now in possession of a Maroon State of Origin Rugby League jersey.
The AFL have paid for and enjoyed massive publicity as a result from signing rugby league converts Karmichael Hunt & Israel Folau to the Gold Coast & GWS respectively. The AFL would have loved timing to be on its side and have a first round final made up of Brisbane V Sydney in the coming seasons. It will not be season 2010.
Most sporting bodies and administrators love to see the ultimate battle between the two long standing rivals in a do-or-die ultimate final. Recently in the USA, the NBA was rubbing its hands together with just that: Traditional cross continent rivals LA Lakers V Boston Celtics in the best of 7 Championship Series this year. The associated success of these two marquee franchises playing off for the title is that governing body’s dream result.
Gold Coast FC - AFL 17th Club in 2011
In contrast to the Olympic and global sport of basketball, the AFL has a different set of goals to expand its domestic sport. In a crowded market with four football codes, the AFL is determined to make the indigenous code the national code with a legitimate national competition. The immediate “shot in the arm” of Traditional Rivals final comes a distant second compared to the rise to success of a non-Victorian club; particularly in a non-traditional area.
The AFL would love to see Fremantle win their first Premiership, the only current AFL club yet to hold the Premiership Cup aloft on the last day in September. Perhaps a Dockers premiership in the next couple of years and an ambitious and rising West Coast Eagles could pave the way forward for a potential 19th AFL franchise and Western Australia’s 3rd? Not to mention, potentially one from the island state down south.
Time will tell whether its all about the timing.
Share your thoughts:
What do you think of the timing of the expansion into 2 new markets?
Does the success of the Lions or Swans have an impact on the new clubs?
Long term, can the league sustain further expansion? Will it be a 3rd team into WA or Tasmania?
July 6th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
More teams??? Yeah I dunno if its possible Justin. I think the best way Tasmania (are they still part of Australia? Didnt we give them away?) will ever see another team is if Hawthorn or Richmond play more games there.
A 3rd team in WA will only happen if:
1) WA gets a new stadium of 60,000+
2) The VFL actually becomes the AFL and
2) If WA continues to grow
#3 will happen bu #1 and #2? Buckles…
July 7th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Surely the AFL won’t settle for 18 clubs? I don’t think 19 & 20 will happen in the next 5 years as they will be focused on ensuring the long term success of Gold Coast & GSW.
With Richmond pursuing assistance to play some games in Hobart could pave the way for a Tasmanian team (or West Island – New Zealand team if Aus gives the island state away!) If the Richmond venture was successful and they gain the financial assistance they are seeking, there could be up to 8 games in Tas a year. If the smallest state can support 8 home games for Melbourne teams this would be a step in the right direction for their own team. Just as teams played home games at the Gold Coast until the launch of the local club, I would imagine Tas would play out the same way.
As for WA, closer to your heart than mine, but if it is a matter of stadiums then this have proved not to be a hurdle for the AFL. Good point re the VFL/AFL.
July 7th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
@Justin, The only reason why the (A)VFl has kept the 10 Victorian clubs afloat is because those clubs still run the competition.
You are talking about tradition here and tradition rules in the (A)VFL and that is why Subiaco will never be replaced. There has been various attempts to make a new stadium and every time it has been closed because of tradition.
GWS may be successful in 5-10 years but GWS will take 15-20 years, look at Sydney for example. Although I get the feeling GWS will force Sydney to pull their finger out and get to push the code more than they did before.
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