From Realfooty - The Age
Reported by Adrian Lowe
Soruce - Click here

THE AFL has failed in its bid to take over much of the running of the Victorian Football League.

At the VFL's annual general meeting last night, the AFL's push for increased control of the state league — including the composition of the board — was voted down.

VFL advocate Phil Cleary said last night he was pleased with the result.

Source: Herald-Sun

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25221464-19742,...

VICTORIAN Football League chiefs fear an AFL takeover bid could strip the league of its "heart and soul" and put every club at risk of expulsion.

The AFL wants unprecedented power to control the make-up of the VFL competition and the AFL Victoria board, and could cut millions of dollars of funding unless VFL clubs agree.

Carlton - Jordan Bannister, Adam Bentick, Steven Browne, Brad Fisher, Adam Hartlett, Setanta O'hAilpin, Rhys O'Keeffe, Mitch Robinson, Heath Scotland, Caleb Tiller, Andrew Walker, Chris Yarran.

Collingwood - Anthony Corrie, Brad Dick, John McCarthy, Paul Medhurst, Anthony Rocca.

Essendon - Tayte Pears, John Williams.

Geelong - nil.

Hawthorn - Jordan Lisle, Ryan Schoenmakers, Liam Shiels, Cameron Stokes.

North Melbourne - Leigh Adams, Conor Meredith, Robert Tarrant.

From Inside Football magazine
Reported by Paul Amy
Read more at Inside Football online

LFC (LOCAL FINANCIAL CRISIS): Entering its second season without a major sponsor, money is too tight to mention for the VFL brass. The absence of big sponsorship dollars was felt last year after TruEnergy pulled the plug on an eight-year association with the league.

According to AFL Victoria CEO Peter Schwab, the cost to administer the VFL was about $3 million. The competition itself generated $1.4 million, leaving a gap of $1.6 million that was covered by AFL grants and transfer fees. “The operating cost of the VFL in the past five years has increased in excess of $800,000,” Schwab said.

“This is a concern because a similar increase in the next five years will not be sustainable as revenue is likely to plateau or even decrease. The major problem for the clubs will be to increase revenues to cope with increased costs.” He said AFL Victoria would not be in a position to help clubs seeking financial help.

Source: WFC web site.

Full details here.

Williamstown FC have a bye in round 1 of the VFL Season – our club has now been given the opportunity to play against the AIS U/17 squad which features the top 28 junior footballers in Australia.

AIS U/17 Vs Williamstown

Saturday 11th April

Venue – Etihad Stadium (formerly Telstra Dome)

Game Time - 11:15am

Source: Williamstown FC home page.

Full article here

Williamstown played Coburg Tigers in a Practice Match at Whitten Oval on Saturday 14th March in wet conditions. Coburg eventually won the game by 20 points after an inaccurate Williamstown kicked 1 goal 9 behinds in a wasteful third quarter.

Source: Herald-Sun

Full Story here.

WESTERN Bulldogs star Robert Murphy heads a host of AFL stars who will play in the VFL on Saturday.

Murphy will line up for Williamstown against Sandringham in his quest be ready for Round 1.

The centre half-forward has struggled for pre-season game time as he recovers from a knee injury.

Scott Welsh (illness) and Tom Williams (ankle) will join Murphy.