AFL-SA wrote:The AFL Reserves sides have not destroyed the SANFL competition
Not yet, but you'd have to admit the writing is most certainly on the wall. The lack of atmosphere at a Crows or Port reserves game suggests they're not adding anything to the comp. I'd like to know the extent of losses sustained by the home clubs each time they host the Crows or Port. The integrity question of whether they 'play to the line' also remains a live issue for supporters that can never be objectively resolved.
AFL-SA wrote:hardly anyone mentions them at the League Director level and the SANFL is 100% committed to keeping them in the competition for the full 15 years.
As if the league directors would now openly or in camera admit that the admission of the reserves sides was an error, given it was their sole responsibility to vote them in the first place. They'll go to their graves convinced one way or another that it was the best thing for the league, even if compelling evidence to the contrary came to light. Surely it's clear that there's way too much reputational risk for these guys to do a 180 degree turn on the issue. There is a quantum leap between judging whether the reserves concept is a success today and the political positions adopted by the league directors.
AFL-SA wrote:If these teams were such an issue why has no League Director been removed from their club?
I stand to be corrected, but I presume league directors are appointed by the league, so I'm not sure how a club can removed them from that role.
In terms of removal from their respective club as a board member, this'd be up to the membership. Organising an EGM is no easy task, and from my clubs' perspective, I'd say there's plenty of our (diminishing) membership base who are apathetic or agree with the reserves concept. That doesn't means the reserves concept is an overwhelming success by any stretch of the imagination.
AFL-SA wrote:Why is there barely a ripple with club members?
But there has been a ripple because club memberships and attendances are down. More importantly, plenty have simply walked away, given the sheer lack of respect shown by the 'yes' clubs to not even give their members the fundamental right to formally voice their views on the inclusion of the reserves in the first place. A lot of those who cared the most were also the ones who were most offended by the way the whole concept was negotiated and implemented, and chose not be part of something they didn't agree with.