If more and more Victorian AFL clubs have their own VFL teams, perhaps it would suit them to have their own Reserves competition and leave the VFL to be a stand alone league. That there would be an uneven amount of teams should not be a detrimental feature, as the VFL exists with an uneven number of DL teams, mainly due to AFL desires. Perhaps NSW and Qld AFL clubs could have their reserve teams in it as well.

If Richmond has its own VFL side, Coburg may be able to revert to being the Lions.
It is so ridiculous that it was permited to change to a nickname already used by a VFL club -- so childish.

It's doubtful if it would ever regain the support it once had, given the minimal support that the current clubs get. The damage has been done. I hope Coburg survives -- if it folds and Richmond enters, the VFL will even more so become AFL reserves.

Terrible to see Coburg in this situation.

What many may not remember is prior to the alignment, the Lions were developing a good following with the Coburg-Fitzroy venture. A lot of disenchanted Fitzroy supporters were attending matches and there was a bit of a buzz about the place. The alignment with Richmond put an end to that, and it hasn't really been the same since.

Hopefully the burgers can bounce back, and if they do return to standalone status, can engender some support in the local community. Not sure if the local population has much of an appetite for VFL footy, but it kind of looks like we will find out.

Grant Williams, Garry O'Sullivan, Brendan Curry! Gee the game is in good hands.

Grant Williams, Garry O'Sullivan, Brendan Curry! Gee the game is in good hands.

Perhaps if Preston,Preston Knights,Northern Bullants,Northern Blues had an administrator with the dedication,drive,work ethic,management ability etc that Brendan has you might still have a club.

Brendan Curry has great work ethic and been great not only for Williamstown but football in general. Great bloke too. Brendan Curry Williamstown and Barry Kidd from Port have been fantastic for their clubs for many many years. Heart and soul of their clubs. Terrific football people and gentleman.

Caroline Wilson is a drop kick and would not take anything she says as gospel. She causes trouble whenever she speaks. It might be true and eventually Coburg will have to go alone. They have a past players day on Sunday and a strong list of old Coburg people. They would be working to a stand alone status for the future however hard it will be. They might have to align themselves with the Calder cannons as well as tap into the Essendon FL, Riddell FL as well as Diamond Valley area. They are not flash with funds and a lack of a social club is a worry. In the 2000 VFL season when they were called Coburg-Fitzroy Lions it looked like it was going somewhere with quite a few old Fitzroy people jumpiong aboard. Good luck to Coburg as in the future if there was a few more standalone vfl clubs it would be good for the comp (if they can survive).

I hear people talking about the little interest Coburg area.

Here in Adelaide most SANFL supporters dont live in their club's zone. Most Norwood and Sturt supporters couldnt afford to live anywhere near their club's oval. Support is passed from generation to generation and the clubs & SANFL create a product that keeps people coming back. Moving doesnt help - remember Brunswick-Broadmeadows????

There is nothing wrong with the quality of VFL footy on the fields.... but overall the product is faulty. A mish mash of VFA, AFL and combination teams combined with constant contraction and expansion doesnt create a good product.

The AFL Victoria needs to create a framework for the VFL, stick to it and support all of its clubs and operate away from the AFL (i.e. not think of itself as a reserves comp. imagine an SANFL game being played at 10AM because of the AFL).

The VFL needs to get its house in order or we will have Port Melbourne, williamstown and a stack of AFL reserves teams.

jamesh wrote:

I hear people talking about the little interest Coburg area.

Here in Adelaide most SANFL supporters dont live in their club's zone. Most Norwood and Sturt supporters couldnt afford to live anywhere near their club's oval. Support is passed from generation to generation and the clubs & SANFL create a product that keeps people coming back. Moving doesnt help - remember Brunswick-Broadmeadows????

There is nothing wrong with the quality of VFL footy on the fields.... but overall the product is faulty. A mish mash of VFA, AFL and combination teams combined with constant contraction and expansion doesnt create a good product.

The AFL Victoria needs to create a framework for the VFL, stick to it and support all of its clubs and operate away from the AFL (i.e. not think of itself as a reserves comp. imagine an SANFL game being played at 10AM because of the AFL).

The VFL needs to get its house in order or we will have Port Melbourne, williamstown and a stack of AFL reserves teams.

Jamesh me boy, Can you tell us something we don't already know. !!
The VFL has been a dog's breakfast since it's inception in 1996. Unfortunately it is controlled by the might of the AFL who really dont give a rat's arse as long as their clubs are happy. You only have to look at the damage done to the once great club Preston & now Coburg look like going the same way. There is no way known that Coburg can go it alone & as much as I hate to say it there are other clubs that will follow suit.
There is clearly no future direction or vision & VFL clubs are just existing from year to year with no one having any idea of what the future holds.
The VFL has not got the balls to stand up to the AFL because you don't bite the hand that feeds you.