I grant that possibility Paul......but there is no interest in the standalones other than to feed the AFL juggernaut. Providing a fair playing field where the standalones can actually succeed is definitely not a priority. Grand Final week 2016 proved exactly where we stand. Looking at cause and effect over the next few years, standalone clubs will become less and less competitive as they struggle to compete with better funded, better trained and better coached sides half full of AFL listed players.
In the past, VFA clubs stayed competitive often with the addition of ex-AFL players at the end of their careers. That is a rarity now with players paid handsomely for celebrity games. Where on earth do we get players from now? This is why I'm such an advocate of the Dolphins looking into any form of benefit we can provide to MPNFL clubs. If we can find a way to convince the clubs and their players that their best should consider it an honour to represent the Dolphins, then we have a possible route to survival and success. Without it, I really struggle to see a way home. We've done a great job of getting undrafted talent from the NAB League, but often there's good reason why they weren't drafted. We need something more. I can't picture us being in a financial position under our current direction to recruit the best of the rest.
"I grant that possibility Paul......but there is no interest in the standalones other than to feed the AFL juggernaut."
Agree completely.
"standalone clubs will become less and less competitive as they struggle to compete with better funded, better trained and better coached sides half full of AFL listed players. "
Completely disagree. I've been hearing that for almost two decades, yet standalone clubs that build continuity have been successful right across that time. Right now we have two in the top four.
Yep, it's bloody hard work to keep a standalone club sustainable, especially without additional revenue, but clubs that can do that can, have and will continue to be at the top end of the ladder.
The VFL/now AFL have always wanted to belittle the VFA's place in the founding of Australian Football in Victoria and always will!
The irony is that ALL the Victorian VFL/AFL clubs and the Sydney Swans came via the VFA! It is like denying that you had any parents,
That is why I have never been an a VFL or AFL club supporter unlike many other VFA supporters as there is way too much bad blood to be forgiven in my 75 years of following the Sandringham FC and seeing the constant undermining of the VFA by the VFL/AFL and their media mates!
Then again there was the glorious 25 years when we were different with the Sunday footy and 16 men a side and that is the reason the the current pathetic "VFL" won't work as it is seen by the football public in Victoria as second rate and a pale imitation of the AFL!.
Blackrocker sIaid
"Smallest and quietest attendance at TBBO I have seen, Next to no spectators at the Sauntner goal; the beer booth was closed.Smallest and quietest attendance at TBBO I have seen, Next to no spectators at the Sauntner goal; the beer booth was closed."
Sadly on a personal note the once mighty (8 flags in 20 years!) Sandringham FC have had another wasted year under the agreement with St Kilda the worst performing club in VFA/VFL/AFL history and I wonder how many real supporters the Zebras have left now and how long before St Kilda have their own reserves team and dump Sandringham?
I grant that possibility Paul......but there is no interest in the standalones other than to feed the AFL juggernaut. Providing a fair playing field where the standalones can actually succeed is definitely not a priority. Grand Final week 2016 proved exactly where we stand. Looking at cause and effect over the next few years, standalone clubs will become less and less competitive as they struggle to compete with better funded, better trained and better coached sides half full of AFL listed players.
In the past, VFA clubs stayed competitive often with the addition of ex-AFL players at the end of their careers. That is a rarity now with players paid handsomely for celebrity games. Where on earth do we get players from now? This is why I'm such an advocate of the Dolphins looking into any form of benefit we can provide to MPNFL clubs. If we can find a way to convince the clubs and their players that their best should consider it an honour to represent the Dolphins, then we have a possible route to survival and success. Without it, I really struggle to see a way home. We've done a great job of getting undrafted talent from the NAB League, but often there's good reason why they weren't drafted. We need something more. I can't picture us being in a financial position under our current direction to recruit the best of the rest.
"I grant that possibility Paul......but there is no interest in the standalones other than to feed the AFL juggernaut."
Agree completely.
"standalone clubs will become less and less competitive as they struggle to compete with better funded, better trained and better coached sides half full of AFL listed players. "
Completely disagree. I've been hearing that for almost two decades, yet standalone clubs that build continuity have been successful right across that time. Right now we have two in the top four.
Yep, it's bloody hard work to keep a standalone club sustainable, especially without additional revenue, but clubs that can do that can, have and will continue to be at the top end of the ladder.
Willi and Port have both won premierships in the last eight seasons - with an ounce of luck Willi could have won two, so it can be done
North Port you are 100% correct.
The VFL/now AFL have always wanted to belittle the VFA's place in the founding of Australian Football in Victoria and always will!
The irony is that ALL the Victorian VFL/AFL clubs and the Sydney Swans came via the VFA! It is like denying that you had any parents,
That is why I have never been an a VFL or AFL club supporter unlike many other VFA supporters as there is way too much bad blood to be forgiven in my 75 years of following the Sandringham FC and seeing the constant undermining of the VFA by the VFL/AFL and their media mates!
Then again there was the glorious 25 years when we were different with the Sunday footy and 16 men a side and that is the reason the the current pathetic "VFL" won't work as it is seen by the football public in Victoria as second rate and a pale imitation of the AFL!.
Blackrocker sIaid
"Smallest and quietest attendance at TBBO I have seen, Next to no spectators at the Sauntner goal; the beer booth was closed.Smallest and quietest attendance at TBBO I have seen, Next to no spectators at the Sauntner goal; the beer booth was closed."
Sadly on a personal note the once mighty (8 flags in 20 years!) Sandringham FC have had another wasted year under the agreement with St Kilda the worst performing club in VFA/VFL/AFL history and I wonder how many real supporters the Zebras have left now and how long before St Kilda have their own reserves team and dump Sandringham?
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