codesports.com.au/afl/return-of-the-big-v-vflsanfl-clash-could-be-scheduled-as-part-of-next-years-afl-gather-round/news-story/aad759e9956c26d34f0f45d2321060e0
Article from CODE Sports today regarding a potential VFL vs SANFL game next year as well as fixturing news for the VFL. Key points for those without a subscription:
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VFL vs SANFL clash in the works as part of AFL's Gather Round.
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Only VFL-listed will be eligible for selection.
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VFL season to have four byes including the state game.
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Grand Final to be held on the weekend of the AFL preliminary finals.
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"More balanced fixture with equitable outcomes" planned for the VFL.
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Three highest-finished standalone clubs (Werribee, Williamstown, Southport) to play each other twice and the other standalones once.
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Port Melbourne, Frankston, Northern Bullants, and Coburg to play each other twice.
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Standlone reserves teams (Carlton, Richmond etc) to have eight home games, while AFL-affiliated clubs to retain nine home games.
Good to see the new AFL regime taking interest in the VFL and making it a little fairer, in stark contrast to Gilligan who was happy to do nothing and let it rot away...
It's a step in the right direction for sure. The VFL is an inherently lopsided competition, so I'm glad that at least something is being done to make it a little more equitable. Hopefully it allows Coburg and the Bullants to take something out of next season, and gives Frankston a chance to build on our momentum despite the players we've lost.
Andrew Dillon is a big supporter of the VFL i've been reliably informed
The fixture relief we're getting next season (after a previous trend of the AFL not caring how fixturing affects us) had me wondering if this was something he pushed for. Hopefully a sign of improvements coming in for our league.
Yeah Dillon honestly wants to make the VFL the best domestic comp in Australia - hope that becomes reality with a bit of promotion and funding and better decision-making around fixturing
I hear we are still looking at 3 or 4 byes during the season. Not great, but agree that some of the announced changes do seem like a positive move for the competition.
Let's hope we actually get a complete fixture, and released close to Christmas so that supporters can try and book in interstate travel.
* It's time to restore the VFA name.
Very much hoping for a fixture to be releaaed sooner rather than later, especially knowing that it's already being worked on and that certain things have been finalised.
I wish they would cut down on the number of byes and make it a 20-game season, but since they never had every team play each other I'm fine with the fixture changes. Glad to see they are at least trying something to address the lopsided nature of the competition.
Agree with you Up the Dolphins, a season where we just play every club once, and reduce the byes will add a bit more credence to the comp.
* It's time to restore the VFA name.
Either that or move to a two-division structure where everyone can play each other twice. The current VFL is getting unwieldy as it is and when Tasmania enter, you could split it into two divisions of 11 teams and bring each division to a similar size as most other state leagues.
Port Adelaide Magpies have applied to join the VFL in 2024, according to VFL Rewind on Facebook - interesting development
Just saw. The AFL's response to this is going to be intresting considering they've now shown some interest in adressing how uneven the VFL has become.
Surely if a move like this actually does happen then questions are going to be asked about the future of this league. If the Crows and one of the WA clubs follows Port, the VFL is going to become a de facto national reserves competition. Can they seriously consider retaining the VFL when every state is a part of it? Can standalone clubs continue to stay competitive with more and more teams playing AFL players every week and having to fly all over the country?
The VFL is already due for a restructure with a 22nd team on the way again. If it continues to grow it's going to get unwieldy.
It's not unwieldy already? I always thought that the SA and WA clubs threats to join the VFL were just a strategy to get further concessions from the SANFL and WAFL but maybe they are becoming serious in this ever-evolving competition
It definitely is at this point and I think it really needs to go to two divisions as long as it remains a 20+team competition. 11 teams each, expand the season to 20 games so that everyone can play each other twice. Each division would be of similar size to most other state leagues and with the top and bottom teams separate you would see less blowout results. These fixture concessions are already a step toward separate teams by skill bracket, so why not have two divisions with their own premierships so that lower ranked teams have something to compete for.
VFL vs SANFL clash locked in as part of the Gather Round weekend from April 4th to 7th. Venue and timeslot to be decided.
I was just listening to FiveAA Summer Sports Show, SANFL CEO Darren Chandler was on and his quote “SANFL vs VFL State League Match will be played as a stand-alone match at a seperate SANFL Venue”
That rules out Norwood Oval and Adelaide Oval
Hopefully NO AFL listed players are allowed to play for the SA team!
Having it as a standalone game and not a curtain raiser is a good move. I think the Vic/SA rivalry can draw some interest to the game, but I don't think many people will show up early for a state league game. Play it at a different venue so that people don't have to pay for an AFL ticket to attend, and make it the affordable option for people who either can't afford or miss out on AFL tickets.
The timeslot is the big issue. Saturday and Sunday both have games running from the afternoon until evening, which doesn't leave much room to avoid clashing with an AFL game. I think TV viewership will suffer if it clashes with the AFL.
https://vflfooty.com/vfl-v-sanfl-rivalry-return-2024
* It's time to restore the VFA name.