News

From The Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
Full article - Click here

The VFL competition is in two minds and both collided on grand final day. One, it seems, wants to see the traditional VFA teams prosper, the another, which is becoming more dominant, is that AFL Victoria does not want it tagged as an AFL reserves competition.

Box Hill Hawks' handling of Cyril Rioli in the grand final loss to Footscray on Sunday is a stark example. Box Hill was six points up at three-quarter time, with injury concerns, but was unable to put the star Hawk back on the ground.

It is an issue for the VFL and the AFL to tackle. With more stand alone clubs on the horizon, the development of players would appear to be more important than success.
This year's premier – Footscray – is a prime example.

Coach Chris Maple has since day one, stated that player development was a far greater priority than on-field success. After the club's victory, he said: "I think it shows you can still develop and do OK.

"We haven't compromised (in finals) where we want to play players, the length of time we want to play them. Some weeks we've taken them off at half-time and things like that. We haven't changed that and we won't change it.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/vfl-showcase-compromised-for-afls-...