From The Age
Reported by Michael Sharkie
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THE Victorian Football League could lose one or more of its traditional clubs to interstate leagues if rumoured funding cuts and a proposed eastern seaboard second-tier competition come to fruition.
Following the failed takeover of the VFL competition by the AFL last month, rumours of funding cuts and the possible disbandment of existing VFL club licences by the AFL have forced VFL clubs to consider their future, with a move into the SANFL competition a possible option.
Port Melbourne general manager Barry Kidd said that although his club had been mentioned among the names of those clubs considering such a move, there had been "no serious discussion" about joining the South Australian state competition.
"There's been no talk with the SANFL or within our club but certainly it (joining the SANFL) would be an option. It would be an option for any club who could afford to do it," Kidd said.
Last month, the AFL attempted to take control of the VFL competition and its future make-up by proposing controversial constitutional amendments that would have seen the AFL hold the only vote at general meetings and assume the power to change the constitution.
After a series of meetings between the AFL and the VFL, which reportedly were often heated, the proposed changes were voted down by VFL shareholders, who sought to protect the rights of the oldest football competition in the country.
Since that vote, several scenarios have been rumoured including the slashing of funds to the VFL, the disbandment of the VFL competition and the reformation of a new competition based on the eastern seaboard.
Although no approach has been made by Port Melbourne to the SANFL, Kidd said that a recent SANFL 10-club model that included former VFL club Tasmania suggested the league was keen to consider interstate expansion.
"We will always protect the history and integrity of our football club and we would look at all available options to do that," Kidd said.
At present, the AFL provides licences to clubs to compete in the VFL competition but those licences only apply for a 12-month period. Under the current licensing agreement, the AFL retains the right to cancel these licences with 12 months' notice and therefore cease to endorse the competition.
Hypothetically, a new competition could be developed with existing VFL clubs invited to apply for a new licence.
Darren Chandler, general manager of State League and Partnerships for the SANFL said that at this stage any talk of Port Melbourne or any other VFL club joining the SANFL remained rumour.
"No formal requests have been put forward and no discussions have been held, but we will deal with things as they are put forward," he said.
Nine clubs play in the SANFL and Chandler said that there were other models that included the inclusion of interstate teams.
"We've looked at a range of models, including those that include Tasmanian or Northern Territory teams coming into the league, but we don't have an idea of the number of teams to play in the competition," he said.
