AFL set to derail NT joining the SANFL

[eaglehaslanded]

God I hope this isn't true. A team from the NT seems a perfect fit for the SANFL. Geez it would be good to have a 10 team comp again too.

[Sojourner]

It will be interesting to see how the SANFL management react to this, if they roll over because the AFL dictates that it is to happen, then it should be crystal clear to everyone concerned that we need a complete clean out of the administration staff of the SANFL.

As it is I dont believe that they are trying to put the interests of the SANFL clubs in front of the interests of the AFL clubs allocated to S.A, so let them go ahead and roll over, hopefully it will start a process of getting a management in that will treat the colours of the 9 SANFL clubs with the respect that we are owed.

[am Bays]

FFS how can the SANFL do anything about it, the AFL is the national controlling body with all resources and the power

Its like the state governments with teh GST, the Feds had the $$$$ they didn't want to politically but they fell in line.....

[Sojourner]

I dont agree that the AFL are the National Controlling Body of Football, they might dictate to other states, yet they have not and should not have any measure of control over what the SANFL does and who we speak to.

[bosvit]

FFS how can the SANFL do anything about it, the AFL is the national controlling body with all resources and the power

Its like the state governments with teh GST, the Feds had the $$$$ they didn't want to politically but they fell in line.....

Have to agree. The AFL would be an awful enemy if they had you in their cross hairs.

[am Bays]

I dont agree that the AFL are the National Controlling Body of Football, they might dictate to other states, yet they have not and should not have any measure of control over what the SANFL does and who we speak to.

Mate they ARE the national controlling body. This is recognised by all the governments of this country who negotiate with them (under the auspices of the Australian Sports Commission) - government funding, laws of the game, development funding etc the AFl control the game. In finacial terms with respect to the SANFL's development programs we need the AFL. No way could we raise the $$$$ required to run the SANFL competition and develppment programs to teh same level we do now (paid employees, footballs, auskick kits etc without the AFL's help)

The old NFL was replaced by the AFL in about 1990 as our codes lawmaker and controlling body.

[spell_check]

It's what Leigh Whicker said. Buggered if I know how people were happy when there was 22 rounds between 1977 and 1989 with 10 teams. Even with 21 rounds, you could still play each team 7 times over a three year period. Have the draw on a rotation basis where (example) Central plays Eagles, Glenelg, 10th side three times one year; North, Norwood, Port three times the next year; South, Sturt and West three times the year after. All other teams in respective years are played twice.

I agree with your thinking Spelly. 22 rounds worked fine with 10 teams before, why not now?
Perhaps they are worried about one club having the burden of 2 games up the gun barrel highway in the same year? Perhaps with that in mind an 18 round season was the only way to make it viable?

That's what I thought as well, but with 18 matches, most people will see 3 less matches live - 2 if you've got the cash to go to the NT.

[Mr66]

An expanded SANFL (or WAFL) could in time be seen as a competitor to the AFL.

Leading contender for the most ludicrous statement of the year.

I would have thought that playing in the QAFL was far more logical (in economic terms)
as Brisbane is closer than Adelaide.

[Pseudo]

An expanded SANFL (or WAFL) could in time be seen as a competitor to the AFL.

Leading contender for the most ludicrous statement of the year.

Then you underrate the imagination of the schmucks running the AFL. I suspect that the AFL already views the SANFL as something of a competitor, albeit a minor one.

[CUTTERMAN]

Good posts Therisingstheblues. I was looking forward to a NT team, I've said b4 on Safooty that the SANFL need to consolidate against the effects of an ever expanding AFL, if the NT are getting pushed towards the QAFL then we have to re-consolidate by teaming up closer ties with the WAFL, maybe a champions of the West comp. or use it as a pre season comp between the states' teams, e.g. the grand finalists from both comps play off in a pre season round robin. That's just off the top of my head but we gotta do something to uphold ALL of our heritage and pride.

[Jar Man Out]

FFS how can the SANFL do anything about it, the AFL is the national controlling body with all resources and the power

Its like the state governments with teh GST, the Feds had the $$$$ they didn't want to politically but they fell in line.....

Stand up for ourselves.

like we did when they demanded we cut our salary cap. We infact increased our salary cap the very same year.

The AFL do not control the two SA based AFL clubs licences or AAMI stadium for a start.

The SANFL do. Maybe its time we reminded them of that fact.

Anybody else surprised by Tas's immediate response was for the SANFL to roll over and play dead. I certainly wasnt.

Got to love these crows fans.

[spell_check]

FFS how can the SANFL do anything about it, the AFL is the national controlling body with all resources and the power

Its like the state governments with teh GST, the Feds had the $$$$ they didn't want to politically but they fell in line.....

Stand up for ourselves.

like we did when they demanded we cut our salary cap. We infact increased our salary cap the very same year.

The AFL do not control the two SA based AFL clubs licences or AAMI stadium for a start.

The SANFL do. Maybe its time we reminded them of that fact.

Anybody else surprised by Tas's immediate response was for the SANFL to roll over and play dead. I certainly wasnt.

Got to love these crows fans.

The problem is, we can as supporters at least be heard - to give it our best shot as representatives of the SANFL community - but the sound of money is much louder. Of course we need to remain positive that the SANFL looks after the best interests of the SANFL, however.

[am Bays]

FFS how can the SANFL do anything about it, the AFL is the national controlling body with all resources and the power

Its like the state governments with teh GST, the Feds had the $$$$ they didn't want to politically but they fell in line.....

Stand up for ourselves.

like we did when they demanded we cut our salary cap. We infact increased our salary cap the very same year.

The AFL do not control the two SA based AFL clubs licences or AAMI stadium for a start.

The SANFL do. Maybe its time we reminded them of that fact.

Anybody else surprised by Tas's immediate response was for the SANFL to roll over and play dead. I certainly wasnt.

Got to love these crows fans.

Ouch the wet lettuce leaf sure hurts .....

[OCT]

I think there is a bit more to this than expanding in Queensland. Some excellent points made previously , I believe it stems from the AFL still clinging onto its VFL roots and wanting the SANFL not to be the dominant 2nd best league in the country which we have been since the inception of the AFL. It is time for the SANFL to push hard for what they believe is best for the SANFL - nothing else ! . The SANFL has 9 other clubs not just its 2 AFL clubs which it seems obsessed by. Those that have criticised the SANFL in this thread I believe you are spot on. Conservative , uninspiring , lacking creativity and seem to pander to big brother. Stand up & fight for our competition. Our comp needs to grow not go backwards , if that means 12 teams ( providing some historical support eg Tassie , NT , ACT ??) then go for it. Come on it just requires a bit of vision and boldness.

[am Bays]

We can go for an NT, QLD, NSW & Tassie team all we want, but when the those teams need AFL funding for them to operate and travel....well they are going to go where the AFL want them to go not where we want them to go.

Where we can influence and or control a decsion like the salary cap yep stand up for ourselves, but when we have no control and little influence over the final decision over where an interstate team plays - we can moan all we like its outside the SANFL's power....

I'd love someone on here to tell me how we can get the AFL to spend their money where we want them to...then I'll use the same tactics on you to get you to sponsor the Bays....because it is so easy to get 3rd parties to spend their money where you want them to when it is not in their interests.

[OCT]

Why dont have we any say over where NT play? This is the first I have heard of the AFL getting involved. I have heard Whicker interviewed about the NT many times and from what I gather it was only and always a SANFL decision. It is our league not the AFL.

To say NT & co are relying on the AFL money is not quite right . The federal govt was tipping some in and the rest from the NT league . This is where the courage to stand up comes into it , go and fund it without the AFL then you do owe them. Have to change your mindset, look at the cricket , its on a biggerrscale but have the ICB said no to the IPL ? Has the IPL received funds from the ICB ? No. Just people with some vision . Anything can happen if you take your blinkers off.

[am Bays]

The NT side (whever it plays) needs money from several sources

The NT Govt, the Feds (2 Mill over 5 years IIRC), Dick Pratt, some from whatever comp it joins, NT business' (preferably national companies with an interest up there and the AFL.

You probably haven't heard that because you don't live up there and having lived up there and followed this issue closely since 1999 the need AFL money too. AFLNT are much more reliant on AFL funding then we are - how do I know whilst i was up there getting paid by AFLNT - as an umpire I know the AFL had to prop them up a few times - hence why teh NTFL changed it named to AFLNT - except for its local competition remaining as the NTFL in name.

So if they want to play in a state league competition no matter where it is they need the AFL $$$$ and they are not in a position to say no to teh AFL we'll have your money but we'll play where we want to.

[Dutchy]

An expanded SANFL (or WAFL) could in time be seen as a competitor to the AFL.

Leading contender for the most ludicrous statement of the year.

I would have thought that playing in the QAFL was far more logical (in economic terms)
as Brisbane is closer than Adelaide.

Mate if your going to have a go at someone else how about getting your facts right?

Have another look at a map of Australia, Adelaide is the closest capital city to Darwin by quite a fair way

[OCT]

The NT side (whever it plays) needs money from several sources

The NT Govt, the Feds (2 Mill over 5 years IIRC), Dick Pratt, some from whatever comp it joins, NT business' (preferably national companies with an interest up there and the AFL.

You probably haven't heard that because you don't live up there and having lived up there and followed this issue closely since 1999 the need AFL money too. AFLNT are much more reliant on AFL funding then we are - how do I know whilst i was up there getting paid by AFLNT - as an umpire I know the AFL had to prop them up a few times - hence why teh NTFL changed it named to AFLNT - except for its local competition remaining as the NTFL in name.

So if they want to play in a state league competition no matter where it is they need the AFL $$$$ and they are not in a position to say no to teh AFL we'll have your money but we'll play where we want to.


Yes they need money from several sources not JUST the AFL. Of course they dont say we 'll take your money and play in another league but still give us the money . Crikey what I am saying is lets not be so reliant on the AFL . That is my point , you seem fixed on the point that the AFL have put money into them !! They put money into Fitzroy too . Noone owes anybody anything. Dont say they need money from several sources and then say they need it from the AFL , your first point is correct - several sources , not just the AFL. I am not suggesting its easy , what is easy is pandering to the AFL and tunnel vision of " they gave us some money so lets do what they say " . Thats easy.

[am Bays]

OCT you make some good points but at the end of the day its not our decision its the AFLNT's. When an organisation like AFLNT is already beholdent to the AFL (remember they changed their name from NTFL to AFLNT for funding and survival - we thank goodness can retain our identity) and they need more money from that same source to fund a team wherever they are going to be much more receptive to where the AFL want them to play compared to the WAFL and SANFL view.

Doesn't matter what other income sources you have when your biggest income stream tell you something you naturally listen and fall in line.....Are you able to tell your biggest income stream (your employer) where you will work?

To give you an idea of how reliant the AFLNT is on the AFL their U/18 Thunder program is fully funded by the AFL, our U/18 program is only part funded by the AFL - the SANFL funds a significant part of it part