AFL set to derail NT joining the SANFL

[CUTTERMAN]

Interesting points guys. I can't seriously think that the AFL has the best interests of the NTAFL at heart if all of a sudden they decide to point them in the direction of QLD just to suit their current spiel and agendas. It was only a few months ago that the SANFL and WAFL were the direction the AFL was pushing the NT. Surely SA or WA is the best place for the FOOTBALLERS coming out of the NT. This is bullshit what is happening at the moment and I wouldn't be surprised if there's alot of underhanded stuff going on at the moment and people being told one thing and then someone pulling the rug from under them. Crap, crap ,crap.
I'll go out on a limb, and this is something I've thought about for a while, I would'nt be surprised if the AFL faces a split similar to the NRL a few years back. Now I'm not saying that there will be 2 seperate comps. but I can see things coming to a head in the next 10 years. It's all based around the $$$$$$$ of the holy grail of tv rights holding up the good stewardship of the AFL heads and to me this is a finite view and not a wholistic approach to footy in our country. With these 'beautiful set of numbers' seems to be a view that they can push and manipulate what they want.
e.g. SANFL salary cap manipulation by AFL
$$$$ sent to TAC Cup Comp
State of Origin farce
Diminishing free to air games

Anyone care to add to it.

[therisingblues]

Tassie is right about the influence the AFL weilds in this situation. The only way we could influence the outcome is through negotiation with the AFL, so far as I can see.
First the SANFL need to know that there are people out there that really want this to happen. If the SANFL's attitude is that this was just a nice plan that they were looking at because someone brought it up, they may also be thinking now that "What the hell we can't do it anymore...who cares?"
Let them know how you feel. Write letters to the SANFL, and explain how you think the NT joining would be beneficial to the comp' as a whole, and how in your opinion the NT joining the QFL would be like a missed chance. If the SANFL learn that there are enough people out there that have a definite opinion about this, then they will be more likely to act on it.
From there, while I don't know how the politics of the AFL works, I am sure the SANFL has some say about how decisions are made. It could be that the AFL is sitting on the fence about what to do and some recommendations made at an official level by the SANFL could be enough to swing it one way or the other.

(edit-just read cutter's post)

It was only a few months ago that the SANFL and WAFL were the direction the AFL was pushing the NT. Surely SA or WA is the best place for the FOOTBALLERS coming out of the NT.

This is the sort of feeling the SANFL needs to read in a letter right now.
Give them a reason to champion our feelings on this by letting them know what our feelings are.

[Ian]

It was only a few months ago that the SANFL and WAFL were the direction the AFL was pushing the NT. Surely SA or WA is the best place for the FOOTBALLERS coming out of the NT.

Since when has the vAFL been worried about what is best for footballers..................or football for that matter, all they are worried about is the vAFL, in particullar, preserving the Vic clubs and looking after states where more than 1/2 the population couldn't give a toss anyway.

[smac]

It was only a few months ago that the SANFL and WAFL were the direction the AFL was pushing the NT. Surely SA or WA is the best place for the FOOTBALLERS coming out of the NT.

Since when has the vAFL been worried about what is best for footballers..................or football for that matter, all they are worried about is the vAFL, in particullar, preserving the Vic clubs and looking after states where more than 1/2 the population couldn't give a toss anyway.

I thought the opposite after their recent 'dealings' with the Kangaroos, Ian.

Gold Coast is the best option, IMO. NT players will take a long time to get up to SANFL standard, a few seasons of beltings would do nothing for football up North. They would be competitive immediately in the QAFL.

[CUTTERMAN]

Do you really think a NT team will get belted in the SANFL? I don't know enough to have formed an opinion, but I would certainly think they'd be competitive, the danger they face is the structure they set in place for the players in travel, away from family, discipline etc.
North fans that went to Darwin for the trial game a few years back would be the best to comment, not sure if you played a club side or composite. Was it competitive?
But Theri, you're right, letters have to be written to the SANFL, not just late night typing on a forum. Good point.
If we are keen for a NT side in the SANFL then what are we willing to give up, how many games away, how many NT based players in each team are we willing to lose.

Maybe the reason they want NT in the QAFL is so Brisbane and Gold Coast teams can have draft priority picks from the NT stocks.
I don't blame the AFL trying to expand their market but are what are we heading towards, a true NATIONAL football league or shoreing up money in other states. Stupid question when discussing the AFL I know.

[smac]

A one off game is different to preparing a team for a full season of footy at that standard. At a different time of year to their current local season as well. Sounds like a pretty tall order to me.

But you are correct, no one really knows for certain - I'm just working on the balance of probabilities.

[panthers 2008]

I think the NT joining the SANFL would have been awesome,and I dont believe it would take them too long to be competetive.As long as they have a sound structure in place together with a proffesional attitude.I really hope the AFL STICKS ITS NOSE out of putting a NT team in the QAFL.The WAFL and SANFL have been having talks with the NT league for quite some time,surely the AFL cannot just decide the NT team would be better off playing in the QAFL?
If the NT team does end up in the QAFL maybe the SANFL should look at a team from Canberra joining our league?
I dont think we should be idle in this,as I firmly believe we need an interstate team to join our comp.We have to look to the future if our comp is to remain strong!

[smac]

I agree that we need to look to the future, but I disagree that the future lies interstate. I hope the SANFL uncover a new track to investigate if the NT deal is killed off.

[Jar Man Out]

I agree that we need to look to the future, but I disagree that the future lies interstate. I hope the SANFL uncover a new track to investigate if the NT deal is killed off.

Cant agree smac. Interstate clubs have so much to offer re: players sponsors and exposure.

Also reason why Tasmania wanted to join the SANFL is that all there better players end up wanting to play in the second best comp in the land eventually. So Tasmanias theory if we join the SANFL why would they want to leave us we already play in the second best comp in the land.

Which is a pretty good theory IMHO.

Pity the geniuses at the AFL didnt agree.

[Dog_ger]

Lets really upset em.....

Invite a New Zealand Team to compete.

Lets cover their costs....?

Lets bend over backwards to find them a world wide sponser...?

[Dog_ger]

We might be able to buy back Footy park in a coupla years...?

[doggies4eva]

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

Thats right and cheaper and easier to get to by plane. If the SANFL clubs are sitting down checking their finances for 1 flight to the NT a year how are the Queensland country clubs going to afford it? And what do the NT public think about this. There are a lot more followers of teh SANFL in the Territory than there are for Queensland non-AFL clubs. All the Queenslanders follow rugby.

[seekanddestroy]

The SANFL clubs shoulda got smart and booked a whole heap of flights with Tiger Airways like my cricket club

[smac]

The SANFL clubs shoulda got smart and booked a whole heap of flights with Tiger Airways like my cricket club

SANFL ruckmen (and a fair few others for that matter) wouldn't even fit in a seat on a Tiger flight!

[Punk Rooster]

The SANFL clubs shoulda got smart and booked a whole heap of flights with Tiger Airways like my cricket club

you play for the Redbacks?

[CUTTERMAN]

Another good report by Radio National this morning, mentioning the ties between NT and SA footy.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/sportsfactor/s ... transcript

[oldfella]

I feel that in terms of Northern Territory football de-fence is de thing around the ground - I see too many ex fringe SANFL reserves players making their best player list --- is difficult to see how they would be competitive over a season unless they are a fully professional (afl) type setup.

I must admit I have not been a supporter of bringing in an extra club (especially from interstate) since day one --- I will not get my wish but I have always wanted an 8 team competition

[OCT]

I have always had the view that the side that merges is the one that no one follows . Woodville & Torrens did it but there supporter base is pathetic and if they start to struggle .....???? So to get your wish of an 8 team comp I fear West would go ................do you still want an 8 team comp??

[therisingblues]

I feel that in terms of Northern Territory football de-fence is de thing around the ground - I see too many ex fringe SANFL reserves players making their best player list --- is difficult to see how they would be competitive over a season unless they are a fully professional (afl) type setup.

It amazes me how many times this has been mentioned. So I may be wrong. But I really think the NT would do some recruiting before they entered a team in the SANFL, as well as lift the level of coaching, fitness etc.
Looks as though it's all cactus now anyway.

[Magpies_Forever]

From what i have heard they were already looking at some players in the SANFL and AFL who came from NT so if they got a few of them they would have been competitive but as who said it doesm't matter now (for the SANFL anyway)