Brisbane Lions, you're time at the top is officially over!!!

[am Bays]

I was going to post but REB and GWW have put it better than I ever could, so I'll just sit in the corner and rock slowly back and forth mumbling "1990 didn't happen, 1990 didn't happen...."

[GWW]

How's that NRL side going in Adelaide? Or Perth?

The health of the sport is more important than the health of any one of its clubs. Sure - Brisbane and Sydney have had a leg up. But the health of Australian Rules across the nation (as meaured by participation and attendances) is better than that of rugby league.

And why "just accept" that the AFL should only reside in the southern states? That is a rather insular view.

I really couldnt care less about the NRL side in Adelaide, 1) because i cant stand rugby league and 2) why should the Adelaide team be able to succeed in the NRL at the expense of traditional clubs in NSW and QLD who pretty much sink and swim according to their own actions, not those of the administering body (who's first preference is to provide huge assistance to non traditional teams) and 3) any success the Rams would have had would have been at the expense of AFL footy in SA.

Fair enough Sydney and Brisbane needed a leg up, but not the way it was done. Its a joke that Brisbane have been given extra salary cap assistance on the grounds of keeping interstaters at the club......this is ridiculous as all clubs suffer from the same "go home" factor.

I agree its important the AFL consider the way their policies affect attendance and participation, but should be this at the expense of the integrity of the competition at large? The AFL is an elite competition, if floundering teams (such as Brisbane and Sydney in the 80'90's and Richmond now) arent up to it, why should they be allowed to stay in the competition? I would also say that the AFL is more successful in terms of terms of participation and attendance is also because 1) AFL footy has 3 traditional states compared to NRL 2...... and 2) it might just be that AFL is a better spectator sport than NRL, although obviously i'm biased in stating this.

By mentioning the bit about the Northern and Southern states i was just being a realist, New South Wales IS a Rugby state, thats the reality of the situation. If Brisbane and Sydney had have won premierships on their own merits i would have been the first to congratulate them.

I guess the issue with me is that i've been a Port supporter all my life. This club has succeeded through their own actions, they've created their own tradition and made themselves a successful club over the space of 140 years, doing it the hard way, not relying on a "leg up" like Brisbane and Sydney have.

[McAlmanac]

I guess the issue with me is that i've been a Port supporter all my life. This club has succeeded through their own actions, they've created their own tradition and made themselves a successful club over the space of 140 years, doing it the hard way, not relying on a "leg up" like Brisbane and Sydney have.

There's the difference. Your point of view is predicated from a club perspective, as opposed to the sport as a whole.

[GWW]

I guess the issue with me is that i've been a Port supporter all my life. This club has succeeded through their own actions, they've created their own tradition and made themselves a successful club over the space of 140 years, doing it the hard way, not relying on a "leg up" like Brisbane and Sydney have.

There's the difference. Your point of view is predicated from a club perspective, as opposed to the sport as a whole.

Well i guess if you'd barracked for a powerful club and not a lightweight like Woodville you'd know where i was coming from.

[Rik E Boy]

And GWW's southern states super league was a wonderful thing until the Adelaide Crows broke the transfer record and paid 3 million a year for Warren Tredrea. Meanwhile, in other unrelated news three more clubs and one league have folded due to a lack of funds.

regards,

REB

[am Bays]

3 Million for that hack?? I'll pass thanks, if only he didn't get the yips kicking for goals. I hope he came as part of a package deal for our 6th round draft pick too

[am Bays]

I guess the issue with me is that i've been a Port supporter all my life. This club has succeeded through their own actions, they've created their own tradition and made themselves a successful club over the space of 140 years, doing it the hard way, not relying on a "leg up" like Brisbane and Sydney have.

In the mid 1980s when Port were in financial difficulty didn't the council wipe out the debt that they owed them and Norwood secretly loaned them money to cover some short term cash flow difficulties. Nah Port have always been strong, done it on their own and have never had a "leg up"

GWW remeber Port are only as strong as the other 9 SANFL clubs because if it wasn't for them they wouldn't have a competition to be strong in.

I remember this from the 1990 debate and one of the reasons for my comments on Bruce Webber being a despicable treacherous man. He was happy to put his hand out from another SANFL club for coin but as soon as he was back on his feet he was prepared to stab his friend in the back for his own self interest.

Having said all that I respect Port Adelaide for being the best and having that winning successful culture that ddemanded success both on and off the field for most of their history. However Port fans have to remember that they were part of a competiton not operating on their own and the collective strength of the SANFL allowed Port to be successful

[Magpiespower]

The national competition is the best thing that ever happened to the game.

Take off the rose-coloured glasses and you'll see that.

[GWW]

I guess the issue with me is that i've been a Port supporter all my life. This club has succeeded through their own actions, they've created their own tradition and made themselves a successful club over the space of 140 years, doing it the hard way, not relying on a "leg up" like Brisbane and Sydney have.

In the mid 1980s when Port were in financial difficulty didn't the council wipe out the debt that they owed them and Norwood secretly loaned them money to cover some short term cash flow difficulties. Nah Port have always been strong, done it on their own and have never had a "leg up"

GWW remeber Port are only as strong as the other 9 SANFL clubs because if it wasn't for them they wouldn't have a competition to be strong in.

I remember this from the 1990 debate and one of the reasons for my comments on Bruce Webber being a despicable treacherous man. He was happy to put his hand out from another SANFL club for coin but as soon as he was back on his feet he was prepared to stab his friend in the back for his own self interest.

Having said all that I respect Port Adelaide for being the best and having that winning successful culture that ddemanded success both on and off the field for most of their history. However Port fans have to remember that they were part of a competiton not operating on their own and the collective strength of the SANFL allowed Port to be successful

I dont think i've referred to assistance in the form of loans once. What i'm referring to is recruiting assistance that clubs are given, that ultimately leads to their success. If you could inform me of recruiting assistance Port, in either league has been given, i'd be most grateful. Monetary loans keep clubs in the league, but recruting assistance, depending on the extent of it, can result in premierships, which is pretty much the point i'm trying to make.

[doggies4eva]

A strong Brisbane and Sydney winning a flag has gone a long way towards establishing a truely national comp as opposed to an expanded VFL.

What is now needed is an expansion of clubs into these growing markets - maybe at the expense of the dying clubs that clog up Melbourne.

[ORDoubleBlues]

I did actually tip Richmond tonight simply on the fact that they would win eventually and how could Brisbane possibly have been $1.30 for this game?
Simon Black is in a huge funk.
Michael Voss still has the brain but he can barely run and is actually a liability in the midfield now.
Jason Akermanis is out of touch and with all due respect who are Hooper, Stiller, Mills, Attard, Rischitelli, Fixter and Attard when they're at home?

[Rik E Boy]

with all due respect who are Hooper, Stiller, Mills, Attard, Rischitelli, Fixter and Attard when they're at home?

I'll answer this one Oh Arr. When a team is on top for five years, they aren't getting draft picks and the second tier and young playes aren't getting league experience. The players you have named are as green as one of Bob Marley's 'cigarettes'. Brisbane have not had the chance to get games into their next generation like Geelong or St Kilda have (But they have three flags the poor bastards!)

Fixter actually used to play for Sydney and young Hooper played for the same club as my son, the Ipswich Cats

regards,

REB

[mal]

BRISBANE LIONS

Thanks for the memories.

[GWW]

with all due respect who are Hooper, Stiller, Mills, Attard, Rischitelli, Fixter and Attard when they're at home?

I'll answer this one Oh Arr. When a team is on top for five years, they aren't getting draft picks and the second tier and young playes aren't getting league experience. The players you have named are as green as one of Bob Marley's 'cigarettes'. Brisbane have not had the chance to get games into their next generation like Geelong or St Kilda have (But they have three flags the poor bastards!)

Fixter actually used to play for Sydney and young Hooper played for the same club as my son, the Ipswich Cats

regards,

REB

Shame, shame, shame AFL!!

Everyone knows its more important for Brisbane to succeed than for the competition to have integrity!! How can Brisbane expect to dominate the competition after not having received favourable treatment in the last few years or so (well not to the extent of the years previous, they still had the selary cap advantage). Hopefully the AFL will see the error of its ways at the end of the year and give Brisbane 3 extra picks in the first round, maybe increase their salary cap by an extra 10%. That way they may win another 3 premierships in a row (or maybe more), that'll help footy up in Qld......after all, thats all that really matters i'm sure you'll all agree.

A loss to Richmond, hmmm, that could have a devastating affect on AFL footy in Queensland. I suggest a rematch, or maybe we could just simply split the points, or maybe just give the Lions 4 points for actually turning up.....if that helps them get to the finals, well it has to be done..

[Rik E Boy]

Give it up Gee Dubya. Brisbane are carp for the same reason you are. You blokes have played it smarter though as your younger players have played more football at the top level.

regards,

REB

[Interceptor]

Shame, shame, shame AFL!!

Everyone knows its more important for Brisbane to succeed than for the competition to have integrity!! How can Brisbane expect to dominate the competition after not having received favourable treatment in the last few years or so (well not to the extent of the years previous, they still had the selary cap advantage). Hopefully the AFL will see the error of its ways at the end of the year and give Brisbane 3 extra picks in the first round, maybe increase their salary cap by an extra 10%. That way they may win another 3 premierships in a row (or maybe more), that'll help footy up in Qld......after all, thats all that really matters i'm sure you'll all agree.

A loss to Richmond, hmmm, that could have a devastating affect on AFL footy in Queensland. I suggest a rematch, or maybe we could just simply split the points, or maybe just give the Lions 4 points for actually turning up.....if that helps them get to the finals, well it has to be done..

Haha -they way you've bleated on about this, you would've thought the AFL had let Brisbane play with 19 or 20 every time they took the field!
Still bitter about The Filth blowing dominating seasons with self inflicted choke-outs in the finals?

What a damn shame they didn't win more than 1 flag in that time.

[mal]

GWW

Agree with you with Brisbane getting help.

Check this out.

LOOK at this years AFL draw.

12 games at the gabba
1 game at carrara
9 away games

LOOK at rounds 11-12-13-14

4 games in a row at the GABBA

Shame on ML and HW for giving away home games.

And the final word.
What have all the clubs got in common that play
home games interstate?

They mostly miss the finals.
They dont win premierships.[ ?]

[ORDoubleBlues]

Mal, the damning stat for me is that clubs outside of Victoria have won 9 of the last 14 premierships.

In addition to what I previously said about the Lions, I hear what you're saying Rik, I guess it's that nearly impossible fine line that clubs have to balance which is either reloading for another shot at the flag as Brisbane did in 2004 or start giving some of the already mentioned players a few games. Remember seeing Jared Brennan's first few games and I thought he was going to be a gun but his development has stalled somewhat.
As far as the salary cap issue, the Victorian clubs (usually led by McGuire) are quick to point out when something is causing an uneven playing field but are quick to call us a mob of sooks when we do the same. Despite the Lions extra funds, I think the players of the time deserve some credit for hanging around and in some cases signing for less money than they might have got elsewhere, because they knew they had something special going. As a small example, would the result have been different if Stenglein had been in Crows in last year's preliminary?
I think the Lions example proves though that it doesn't matter if you even had 2 million extra to spend, if you don't have developed players to replace aging stars, you are likely to have a slip down the ladder.

[Interceptor]

GWW

Agree with you with Brisbane getting help.

Check this out.

LOOK at this years AFL draw.

12 games at the gabba
1 game at carrara
9 away games

LOOK at rounds 11-12-13-14

4 games in a row at the GABBA

Shame on ML and HW for giving away home games.

And the final word.
What have all the clubs got in common that play
home games interstate?

They mostly miss the finals.
They dont win premierships.[ ?]

More ridiculous nonsense.
Yes, Brisbane get 4 in a row at the Gabba, but the 4th game is a home game for Melbourne that they have chosen to play there.
Geelong managed to get 3 in a row down at Catland -are you going to complain about that?
Hawthorn's game against Brisbane at Carrara is also a 'home' game.
Shame on those clubs for giving away home games? It's a business decision.
Top rate sides win those sort of games anyway.
Melbourne and Hawthorn simply haven't been good enough in recent years, but they might be this year.

There has been a fair degree of jealous paranoia generated though the success Brisbane has experienced in recent years.
Have people considered that they may have been better coached and managed than most other sides in the comp?
Yeah they've had a great list, but the old adage of 'a champion team beats a team of champions' applies.
Sure it helps to have several Brownlow medalists in your team, but without a gameplan and a spirited approach, you don't win flags.
The extra money has very little to do with it. Players took cuts to stay with the group.
They are now in a rebuilding phase and I'm sure the downward spiral has pleased quite a few.
Enjoy while it lasts.

[Wedgie]

More ridiculous nonsense.
Yes, Brisbane get 4 in a row at the Gabba, but the 4th game is a home game for Melbourne that they have chosen to play there.
Geelong managed to get 3 in a row down at Catland -are you going to complain about that?

Drawing a long bow there, Geelong haven't had a home ground advantage for 13 games in a season ever let alone having finals played in Geelong like the Lions get to most years!!!

Just for the record, the Cats have 8 home games in Geelong this year (as opposed to Brisbane's 12 games in Brisbane). The only reason they opened up the season with 3 at Geelong was because of the MCG redevelopment, its no advantage as its just games they miss out later in the year. There's no reason for Rds 11-14 in Brisbane.

Talk about ridiculous nonsense, I think you've just taken the cake there!