From Goldcoast.com.au
Reported by Terry Wilson
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THE Gold Coast Football Club may not necessarily be playing in the Victorian Football League next year.
The original blueprint for GCFC's ride into the AFL by 2011 had the league's 17th licence earmarked for the Victorian TAC Cup with their under-18 side this year, then progressing to the VFL in 2010.
But operations manager Scott Munn yesterday said the club is looking at a number of options, although the VFL is still the most likely.
The GCFC and the AFL met recently to discuss the matter.
"They presented a number of options to us and we have until June to make a decision," said Munn. "We want to ensure we have the best possible options to develop the players."
Munn revealed a stand-alone team in the Queensland Australian Football League is one possibility.
"Or do we go VFL with one team and have the other players in a QAFL team as well, because we'll potentially have 50 players on our roster." GCFC under-18 players will sample the unique and emotional atmosphere of an Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG on Saturday.
The club is taking 25 players to Melbourne on Friday, when they are booked for familiarisation talks with defence department officers to learn more about the spirit of the Anzacs.
"Some of our young blokes have never been to the MCG," said Munn.
On Saturday, the players will watch the Bombers and the Magpies go around in the league's traditional blockbuster, then return to the MCG on Sunday morning for a TAC Cup match against the Tassie Mariners.
