TOPIC:

I would like to see Bob Shields make a statement that in 2021 Perth will not be entering into a host club / alignment situation with WCE. If AFL lists are cut next year then it’s unlikely they will have their own side in the WAFL. However their players will have to play somewhere.

I think it’s commonly thought that if West Coast aren’t in it that Perth will will align with them. It’s why the 3 West Coast players are going to Perth

cess: i think Damien Matthews tried to deal with this awhile ago-- it won't go through without a vote of members.

ArkRoyal wrote: cess: i think Damien Matthews tried to deal with this awhile ago-- it won't go through without a vote of members.

Yes he did Ark. I think it needs 75% member agreement but it doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

cess: yep, I know exactly what you mean

I would hope that Perth members and supporters will fight an alignment with WCE tooth and nail if it is put up as a proposal.

I too hope it doesn't happen but it would make a lot of sense given they co-habitate.

Did not Bob make a statement when he stood for President?

Not sure where this common thought has come from.
But then who am I to question KCEF.

I hope that Bob Shields and the Board will knock any suggestion of an alignment on the head. If there were a vote by members I would vote against it.
The danger is that the WAFC will stick the club with it.
However there are pros and cons for an alignment:
Pros.- 1. Additional revenue for the club as EP experienced when they were aligned. Now they have a huge war chest perhaps to rival Subiaco.
2. Think of players who will have limited time in the WCE side. We would have potentially the most potent ruck combination in the WAFL eg Tom Hickey and Bailly Williams with another tall in Nathan Vardey. Defensive players like Tom Cole, Josh Rotham and Jackson Nelson. Tough nut Brady Gray, small forward in Brendan Ah Chee. And we would be re-assured of having Fraser McInnes.
Cons: 1. Huge blockage of transition paths for developing players from our junior and country zones.
2. PFC would not be master of it's own destiny going forward. Coaching and other football department staff would be WCE appointees and WCE players would get priority over many of our own players who would become disillusioned and seek opportunities elsewhere.
3. Sure the possibility of a flag or 2 would be high ala East Perth and Peel Thunder but for mine that would not mean the same as if we won a flag as a stand alone club.
4. An alignment might make sense to some given that the two clubs co-habit MRP but IMHO, in time, the danger is that PFC would simply be merged with WCE to give them their own WAFL team. PFC (Inc) would sink slowly into the west to become an amateur club. albeit probably a pretty good one.
Anyway, I don't know where this all started. Perhaps it will never happen. I hope so.