Tassie Devils

[Aerie]

I don't think it would work by padding the season out or having a shorter 18 round season while we're still associated with the AFL. The Crows and Power need somewhere for their fringe and young players to play each week.

I like the system as it is. There has been enough change to the SANFL since 1990 as it is. I think its a good time to settle and rebuild instead of trying to expand.

What are the changes that have occurred to the SANFL since 1990? I would have thought that the impact of the Crows and Port and the impact on crowds was the over-riding difference which must be addressed if the SANFL is to prosper.

A merger (WWT), a new team (Port Magpies), a relocation (South) are a few major changes besides the two Adelaide AFL teams. I can't see an interstate team drawing big crowds in Adelaide on a regular basis. I use to like the idea of a new team from NT or interstate, but the more I think about it the less I like. I'd rather the SANFL fix the game in our state than worrying about Tassie, Qld, NSW or NT. I also don't mind a carnival of the best clubs outside AFL every now and then as well.

For the good of South Australian football, I think settling and gradually rebuilding with what we have will work. The biggest problem I see is the quality of football IF the AFL reserves is brought in. If our product remains as is and the clubs and league work hard to attract I can see the popularity of the league steadily on the incline instead of the decline it has experienced since 1990.

[HeartBeatsTrue]

Imagine this.

South vs Tassie at Noarlunga. Cold, wet, windy day. Crowd of about 400?

A bigger crowd you would get at an amatuer league game.

[doggies4eva]

Imagine this.

South vs Tassie at Noarlunga. Cold, wet, windy day. Crowd of about 400?

A bigger crowd you would get at an amatuer league game.

Imagine this:

The SANFL raised from an Adelaide suburban comp to a second tier, semi-national comp with interstate rivalry and greater chance of attracting media hence sponsorship.

[Aerie]

Imagine this.

South vs Tassie at Noarlunga. Cold, wet, windy day. Crowd of about 400?

A bigger crowd you would get at an amatuer league game.

Imagine this:

The SANFL raised from an Adelaide suburban comp to a second tier, semi-national comp with interstate rivalry and greater chance of attracting media hence sponsorship.

But look at what the AFL and expansion has done to the old VFL...

First South, then Fitzroy, then Kangaroos, Melbourne, Hawthorn, Carlton etc. etc.

[westside]

Imagine this.

South vs Tassie at Noarlunga. Cold, wet, windy day. Crowd of about 400?

A bigger crowd you would get at an amatuer league game.

Made up for by Tassie's strong crowds.

I honestly can't believe people would oppose such a great opportunity to reverse the decline of our competition.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Imagine this.

South vs Tassie at Noarlunga. Cold, wet, windy day. Crowd of about 400?

A bigger crowd you would get at an amatuer league game.

you would get the same conditions and same crowd with the same game in tassie

[doggies4eva]

Imagine this.

South vs Tassie at Noarlunga. Cold, wet, windy day. Crowd of about 400?

A bigger crowd you would get at an amatuer league game.

Imagine this:

The SANFL raised from an Adelaide suburban comp to a second tier, semi-national comp with interstate rivalry and greater chance of attracting media hence sponsorship.

But look at what the AFL and expansion has done to the old VFL...

First South, then Fitzroy, then Kangaroos, Melbourne, Hawthorn, Carlton etc. etc.

Exactly next the SANFL unless a strategy of re-inventing the comp is developed SA footy will slowly die too as evidenced by the annual trend in decline of crowds.

[spell_check]

Scott Wade (head of the Devis) said Tassie would prefer the VFL. If the AFL reintroduces reserve grade the VFL will become a Third tier competition, which tasmania does not want to be part of.

Spelly: leigh said the SANFL would become 18 rounds

Well then, lets keep it as it is. I don't want to see two less matches of SANFL thanks, they already chopped off two after 1995.

I think with what Tassie would bring to the league - good crowds, greater exposure, fun travel opportunities, it's worth making a few alterations to accommodate them. True, cutting the season length would be disappointing, but we could cover that by keeping the bye and having enough 3 fixture rounds to pad the season out. You could even put most of the 3 fixture rounds in the middle of the season to minimise the impacts that july weather has on crowds.

What I don't understand is why the teams wouldn't play 22 rounds for. To get an 'even' fixture? I think the fans that worry about it are the fans who have to rely on their team having a favourable draw to make the 5. Over two years each team will play the other 5 times, just like it is now, except for one pair of teams each.