Forum topic

I believe that they will. I can't see them not having a side in the comp, unless they are looking at spreading the players out in the Tassie league.. Because a single side would dominate. 

Happy to be corrected though! 

It was reported earlier this year on the AFL's website (here: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1475452/vfl-competition-structure-update) that the AFL has said the structure of the VFL won't change through the end of 2028, so that implies Tassie still fielding a VFL side in 2028.

Not sure where I saw it but I remember reading that the AFL's ideal VFL structure post-2028 would be the 10 Victorian AFL reserves sides + Tassie + the VFA/VFL standalones (with some suggestion that the AFL would really rather 5 standalones than 6...). Not sure how they'd get the Queensland and NSW clubs to agree to that, but at any rate it sounds like the AFL actually wants Tassie in the VFL long-term.

I heard a similar rumour that the AFL wants the competition to return to a Victorian state league (with Tasmania included) in the near future, but my understanding is that the QAFL isn't up to standard for the Queensland AFL clubs and I assume the same would be true for this Sydney Football League that is set to start next year. 

I would prefer to see it happen. As far as I'm concerned the state of the game in the northern states isn't our concern and removing interstate travel aside from Tasmania will ease a huge burden on clubs and players. 

Is their any merit in splitimg the competition in 2 zo that's theirs less teams and have promotion and relegation between the two to ensure theirs limited blow.outs and that all sides benefit?

I think that would be a tough sell for the AFL clubs, who would want their AFL-listed players to be playing in the top division so as to come up against the strongest opponents and thus get the best preparation for AFL level. Even when an AFL club's reserves side is weak, it seems like games in the lower division would give less useful information about whether an AFL-listed player is ready for a debut or a return to the AFL side. Which doesn't mean it's a bad idea in itself, just unlikely since the AFL clubs would need to agree to it.

Recruitment/retention could also be harder for standalones in the lower division, though I don't know if it would really be harder than it already is for weaker standalone sides in the current comp. I know the VFA had two divisions for a while, but hoping to get onto an AFL list seems to be be a big factor in players choosing VFL over local footy now.

Valid points and the fact that AFL clubs have a big say in the running of the league would mean that such a concept would never happen. I guess it’s one that suits the stand alones more so than the afl reserves.