Interesting article.
Watters out to blood young players rather than win cup
Date
February 17, 2013
Steve Larkin and Brent Diamond
Meanwhile, St Kilda is the only AFL club with a VFL affiliate that is yet to decide whether it wants to field a stand-alone VFL team from next season.
There could be as many as 17 clubs in the VFL from 2014, up from 14 this season. The Western Bulldogs and Richmond have confirmed they will field stand-alone teams next year.
Saints football manager Greg Hutchison confirmed on Saturday that plans for a stand-alone team were still unclear, but it is believed the Saints are keen on fielding their own VFL team.
It may, however, depend on whether a proposed redevelopment of Moorabbin goes ahead. The development would require funding from the state government.
The Saints confirmed at the end of last year that they were looking to redevelop Moorabbin.
They are currently aligned to Sandringham, which is reliant on funding from the Saints.
The Western Bulldogs intend to play most of their matches at Whitten Oval next season when they split from Williamstown - and they will showcase games at other venues around the western suburbs.
Richmond will split with Coburg at the end of this season and play its home matches at Punt Road Oval.
North Melbourne, Hawthorn, Melbourne and Carlton have identified that affiliations with VFL clubs work for them in the short term.
While doubt surrounds the future of traditional VFA clubs such as Coburg and Sandringham, as well as relative newcomer Bendigo, AFL Victoria is adamant the competition can work if more stand-alone AFL clubs are included.
Geelong has won two flags as a stand-alone club and is the reigning premier. Conversely, stand-alone VFL club Port Melbourne has also won a flag and has been the most dominant team over the past two seasons.
The VFL season kicks off on Saturday, March 30 with Port hosting Werribee.
With AAP
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/watters-out-to-blood-young-players...
