matt35 wrote:Well said Mickan and West Adelaide! More proof that the sook threads on here represent a parallel universe.
Obviously we are in the minority - but put yourself in the shoes of a supporter who sees their SANFL team the same way an AFL supporter sees their AFL team.
Now imagine that next season the AFL are bringing in two new teams to "lift the standard of the competition and create more interest".
One team will be known as Victoria and wear the traditional Big V - playing out of the MCG. What a great history they have.
The other team will be known as the Allies and will only play away games. They are the team for all Australians.
These two teams get to pick 24 players each, alternatively in a draft so it is fair for both of them, from any of the AFL teams at the end of season 2014, in preparation for 2015.
Obviously there will be injuries, so they will need some top up players.
The Big V will choose their 15 players, but will only be able to pay them $5,000 per game. Except for one player over 28 who they can pay as much as they like.
The Allies will get given the worst rookies in the land from AFL clubs to do with as they please. They will also only be able to be paid $5,000 per game, except for one player over 28 who they can pay as much as they like.
Would AFL supporters have a problem with that?
Now going back to being an SANFL supporter who sees their SANFL team the same way an AFL supporter sees their AFL team. We have been able to put up with plenty of changes to the competition over the last 24 years - including a drop in general public interest and coverage. We have seen AFL listed players play most of the season for our team and then pull out of finals because the "season is too long" - whether they were original home grown or otherwise. We have seen our best players get drafted to the AFL at the end of a season, never to see them again. All of that was accepted as we knew the SANFL had a place and could not compete with the attraction of the AFL.
The changes in 2014 to the SANFL are the straw that has broken the camels back.
I want to watch my Eagles every weekend because it is something I have done since my Dad took me to games in a pusher. However, I don't want to watch an unfair competition. The SANFL is clearly an unfair competition. If that is the way they want to go, for the "good of football" overall, then expect friends and family in the crowd but don't expect supporters who are there because they have that connection that a person has with their sporting team, because that connection will be cut off knowing what they are watching isn't true or genuine.
Unless the Crows or Power Reserves have added an enormous amount to the bottom line of SANFL clubs and the SANFL through them competing, business wise, the SANFL needs to cut them immediately if they want to be an entity. Otherwise the whole competition is purely a pathway at the expense of about 40 fringe AFL players and their two AFL clubs. There are still ways the SANFL can be a pathway and still be a genuine, successful competition.
That is why those players were abused, Taylor Walker. It was nothing personal. When people can see and feel something that they hold dear to them being taken away unjustly they will react in different ways. It might not be right, but you can understand. The administration of the SANFL and its clubs need to smarten up quick smart, because once it is completely broken, it is completely broken. That could well be Grand Final Day this season and it may already be too late.
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 10:29 am
, so those that are really for the reserves sides may use other words entirely 