Comments on: Do we REALLY want more AFL teams?

By: Is the National Draft the ONLY way to win a Grand Final? | The A to F to L of Australian Football

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:57:13 +0000

[...] is afraid of bottoming out due to their flaky supporters (more on this) so Sydney has to recruit via other clubs and other methods. The 2005 and 2006 team lists featured [...]

By: What the AFL fixtures will look like in 2012 | The A to F to L of Australian Football

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:31:39 +0000

[...] In an earlier post about the new teams it was briefly mentioned… One good outcome of adding two new teams could be an even draw with every team playing each other once with half at home and half away and then next year they swap. So if Collingwood plays Fremantle at the MCG, next year they will play at Subiaco. This would mean instead of 22 rounds, you would have 17 rounds and the possibility of a proper State of Origin series. [...]

By: Jermayn

Jermayn — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:03:33 +0000

Sounds a bit like what Sydney has done by trading for established players. However very rarely does it bring success. West Coast probably should have won in 2005 and even other teams that continue to top up (Adelaide and Fremantle) have all failed to get a Premiership.

I do think there is a case for a free agency but would not know how you would go about it. I think what should be relaxed more is the Pre-Season draft were maybe the opposite of the rookies is used where you can recruit an over 25 year old and not include him in the salary cap.

Jermayns last blog post..Shake it – Metro Station

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:54:07 +0000

http://davidarcher.blogspot.com/2008/05/big-frank-as-undervalued-stock.html

here’s a good example from MLB in America. It is very much a free-agency approach to their sport but through the strategies of the Oakland A’s they’ve consistently been able to compete through smart recruiting.

the effect of this is that because players can come and go more easily, there are greater opportunities with the “cycle” to compete as you rebuild.

By: Jermayn

Jermayn — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:02:39 +0000

That sounds like a good idea. So ie players like Woewodein a few years ago could have get picked up to a club and played for them for a year or so. He did play some good footy in the WAFL after his stint at Collingwood. Jermayns last blog post..The Love Guru

By: Bruce

Bruce — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:26:48 +0000

I reckon the problem is that the “price” to clubs to have a veteran player (really 25yrs +) is too high and so players over this age rarely change clubs (ok, maybe 28+).

I think we need some sort of free-agency that enables players with something to offer to be picked up outside of the draft system. The proviso I would have is for players who are wanted by their sides – eg a Chris Judd leaving West Coast – need to be compensated in some way.

So maybe you have an extended list, with a sub-list for veterans (ie players who have been delisted and not re-drafted) where teams have say 4 spots available and a separate cap where such players could be signed at any time during or after the season.

This might take some tweaking with the new clubs coming into the system but I reckon the new clubs should be given first dibs on such players, then all clubs get a chance.

In relation to the AFL supporting extra teams – they’ve been propping up some many Melb teams for how ever long, why not give the game a chance to grow in NSW and QLD with some extra games? Longer term, it will do the game good if more kids pick up following it. It is hardly going to cause Victorian fans to drop off.

Bruces last blog post..What I would do if I was the Eagles Coach Part 3

By: Jermayn

Jermayn — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:55:27 +0000

I do agree with JT that it was a publicity stunt gone very very wrong. I think maybe a club could survive on the Gold Coast but I really really doubt a club could survive in West Sydney. Does the AFL want another club they have to hand feed to survive? They already have Melbourne, Kangaroos and then Gold Coast and West Sydney? >> Every year there are players who are delisted that surprise me. >> Bring on more sides, but let’s loosen some of the restrictions up at the same time. Sounds like a good idea Bruce. You got some examples of how the AFL could loosen the restrictions? Would a mid season draft be one? We looked at this before.. Jermayns last blog post..The Love Guru

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:51:02 +0000

I think on the issue of player depth there is certainly merit in extra teams. Regularly sides are discounting players based on age, why? because there is an over-abundance of talent (prospects) waiting to replace them.

Every year there are players who are delisted that surprise me.

I’d like to see another two teams enter the competition but on a couple of provisos. Primarily, I think we need to see a freer movement of players. the draft is the ONLY way teams can improve themselves outside of their lists. that is too narrow and promotes too much emphasis on “the cycle”.

This results in players with sometimes 5 good seasons left in them being dumped as sides adhere to the premiership clock and prefer mass speculation on draftees. It’s too predictable.

The main voices of dissent against extra teams are, surprise surprise, Victorian sides who are only interested in their own backsides (fair enough) but see more competition as a further erosion of their cherished traditions that they cling to ever so irrationally.

Bring on more sides, but let’s loosen some of the restrictions up at the same time.

Bruces last blog post..West Coast Eagles Round 16 Team

By: johnny truent

johnny truent — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:05:33 +0000

I definitely think this is a big (expensive) publicity stunt gone wrong.

The AFL (Mr Andrew Demetriou) just want bragging rights over the other ‘football codes’ without really thinking it through.

In my recent trips to both Brisbane and Sydney, when I was there I noticed the lack of exposure and attention people gave the two AFL teams let alone the AFL.

As the teams have become more successful they have gotten more support. But I think it is more a case of the curiosity factor and ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ syndrome.

There just isnt enough support/resources for two teams in both states let alone one. People will not be quick to support new teams that will be cellar dwellers for the next few years. And the concessions they are to be given are fairly generous considering the past examples had to build from scratch.

This is just another case yet again of the AFL’s arrogance and ego affecting the modern game. And not for the better.

johnny truents last blog post..Keens Driver Training Bunbury – logo design/ web layout