TOPIC:

MikeXU1 wrote: I think many of us here including myself need to accept the truth that the WAFL brand has lost relevance over the past 20 years.

There have been a whole generation that have now grown up with the West Coast Eagles and the AFL, and the WAFL being perceived as little more than recovery league for injured AFL listed players (also known as AFL Stars).

Its about money and marketing. If AFL clubs are able to sell training tops, then there is no reason why they wouldn't want to cash in and sell reserves jumpers especially if the two reserves teams do change their jumpers in the future.

In meantime The AFL branded logo will be more recognisable even on an East Perth jumper, which would be of benefit to the two AFL clubs (remember its all about the AFL).

It could be a death nail for the WAFL comp's individual identify and traditions, but a blessing in disguise for the future of WAFL clubs base on the WAFC does very little to promote the WAFL brand at the best of times. The AFL are generally very good at promoting the AFL brands.

Mike.

Mike, Do you really think that with the alignment in full swing next year that the commercial channels will focus on all nine clubs in the WAFL? I suspect, no it should be know, that all the publicity and focus will be restricted to two of those nine. One doesn't need to be a genius to know which two I am talking about.

As for your comment about those two clubs becoming known as Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles I would like to read a comment or two from Grump and Chaddy22.

MikeXU1 wrote: I think many of us here including myself need to accept the truth that the WAFL brand has lost relevance over the past 20 years.

There have been a whole generation that have now grown up with the West Coast Eagles and the AFL, and the WAFL being perceived as little more than recovery league for injured AFL listed players (also known as AFL Stars).

Its about money and marketing. If AFL clubs are able to sell training tops, then there is no reason why they wouldn't want to cash in and sell reserves jumpers especially if the two reserves teams do change their jumpers in the future.

In meantime The AFL branded logo will be more recognisable even on an East Perth jumper, which would be of benefit to the two AFL clubs (remember its all about the AFL).

It could be a death nail for the WAFL comp's individual identify and traditions, but a blessing in disguise for the future of WAFL clubs base on the WAFC does very little to promote the WAFL brand at the best of times. The AFL are generally very good at promoting the AFL brands.

Mike.

Sadly I cannot agree with you abt the acceptance, bitter as it maybe, by most rational folk. There is still a level of rancour, I know cos i get it, about the whole process.

I still and will always maintain that there are/were 5 other clubs angling for the alignment and this annoys me that it is now the G7 vs EP.

As for the branding, this changes in the 'real' world all of the time and whilst traditionalists want to stay in the past it is just part of life that the world and how it is presented to us changes, do you own a holden or a commodore!

Will the WAFC/WAFL change their name well they have already, WANFL to WAFL to West something or other back to WAFL with the State government created WAFC overseeing it, so any further change will just be another in the move to the present rather than the past. look at the backs of all of the V AFL teams you will still see the FFB, BBFC, SMFB and so on.

What will I do if the EP goes from our name, then I probably leave the club but still go to watch the colts and ressies, my passion for EP runs deep and unlike some I will always have a need to go and watch some form of Black and Blue Australian Rules Football in Perth, not balljura tho'

swan42 wrote:

MikeXU1 wrote: I think many of us here including myself need to accept the truth that the WAFL brand has lost relevance over the past 20 years.

There have been a whole generation that have now grown up with the West Coast Eagles and the AFL, and the WAFL being perceived as little more than recovery league for injured AFL listed players (also known as AFL Stars).

Its about money and marketing. If AFL clubs are able to sell training tops, then there is no reason why they wouldn't want to cash in and sell reserves jumpers especially if the two reserves teams do change their jumpers in the future.

In meantime The AFL branded logo will be more recognisable even on an East Perth jumper, which would be of benefit to the two AFL clubs (remember its all about the AFL).

It could be a death nail for the WAFL comp's individual identify and traditions, but a blessing in disguise for the future of WAFL clubs base on the WAFC does very little to promote the WAFL brand at the best of times. The AFL are generally very good at promoting the AFL brands.

Mike.

Mike, Do you really think that with the alignment in full swing next year that the commercial channels will focus on all nine clubs in the WAFL? I suspect, no it should be know, that all the publicity and focus will be restricted to two of those nine. One doesn't need to be a genius to know which two I am talking about.

As for your comment about those two clubs becoming known as Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles I would like to read a comment or two from Grump and Chaddy22.

Agree Swan the commercials wil just want to focua on the two big branded teams, but if that is the only coverage we will get then its better than nothing.

I guess they will alternate each week - peel dockers one week EP Eagles the next v any of the others.

MikeXU1 wrote: I really think based on the names of the reserves clubs in the VFL and the NEAFL, they will be simply end up being Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles.

Mike.

A agree

Dockers
Eagles

Playing in the AFL WA within 5 years.

Bazza

i too think they will eventually change it to AFLWA.

we should charge the AFL $1million annually for the priveledge.

Grump wrote: As for the branding, this changes in the 'real' world all of the time and whilst traditionalists want to stay in the past it is just part of life that the world and how it is presented to us changes, do you own a holden or a commodore!

I think I know what you mean?

Just a bit confused about the Holden or Commodore. Always thought they were two different range of cars. Yes I have a late model SV6 Commodore, but still perfer the real Holdens... Commodore only pretends

Are you likening EP to a 48/215, and now turning into a VE? BUT when it gets to Bathurst we all go for the Commodore anyway?

Mike.

Mike.

I reckon east Perth may become a VE with a VK engine

MikeXU1 wrote:

Grump wrote: As for the branding, this changes in the 'real' world all of the time and whilst traditionalists want to stay in the past it is just part of life that the world and how it is presented to us changes, do you own a holden or a commodore!

I think I know what you mean?

Just a bit confused about the Holden or Commodore. Always thought they were two different range of cars. Yes I have a late model SV6 Commodore, but still perfer the real Holdens... Commodore only pretends

Are you likening EP to a 48/215, and now turning into a VE? BUT when it gets to Bathurst we all go for the Commodore anyway?

Mike.

Mike.

Very good, Mike, but it was more abt when I was a kid I had & told folk I had an 179EH HOLDEN, these days folks don't own a Holden they own a Commodore.

Was quick to 85mph but no more, differentials and cams did a lot not like today just tweak your computer.

The thought of having a jap car brrrhhh, now got 2 mazda 6's, she gets the new one!

Things change and some can't keep up!

Grump wrote:

MikeXU1 wrote: I think many of us here including myself need to accept the truth that the WAFL brand has lost relevance over the past 20 years.

There have been a whole generation that have now grown up with the West Coast Eagles and the AFL, and the WAFL being perceived as little more than recovery league for injured AFL listed players (also known as AFL Stars).

Its about money and marketing. If AFL clubs are able to sell training tops, then there is no reason why they wouldn't want to cash in and sell reserves jumpers especially if the two reserves teams do change their jumpers in the future.

In meantime The AFL branded logo will be more recognisable even on an East Perth jumper, which would be of benefit to the two AFL clubs (remember its all about the AFL).

It could be a death nail for the WAFL comp's individual identify and traditions, but a blessing in disguise for the future of WAFL clubs base on the WAFC does very little to promote the WAFL brand at the best of times. The AFL are generally very good at promoting the AFL brands.

Mike.

Sadly I cannot agree with you abt the acceptance, bitter as it maybe, by most rational folk. There is still a level of rancour, I know cos i get it, about the whole process.

I still and will always maintain that there are/were 5 other clubs angling for the alignment and this annoys me that it is now the G7 vs EP.

As for the branding, this changes in the 'real' world all of the time and whilst traditionalists want to stay in the past it is just part of life that the world and how it is presented to us changes, do you own a holden or a commodore!

Will the WAFC/WAFL change their name well they have already, WANFL to WAFL to West something or other back to WAFL with the State government created WAFC overseeing it, so any further change will just be another in the move to the present rather than the past. look at the backs of all of the V AFL teams you will still see the FFB, BBFC, SMFB and so on.

What will I do if the EP goes from our name, then I probably leave the club but still go to watch the colts and ressies, my passion for EP runs deep and unlike some I will always have a need to go and watch some form of Black and Blue Australian Rules Football in Perth, not balljura tho'

Grump whilst I could not have any following for a team with the nickname of the Royals, I do have sympathy for where your loyalty to the club you have obviously supported for a long time and the position your club is now in due to the alignment. You may well be correct in what you suggest that there were other clubs willing to get into bed with the AFL clubs. My contempt for the WAFC is greater because they once again showed that they have no respect for the WAFL competition and no support for it.

I note that in today's West there was an article indicating that the Eagles are closer to development at Lathlain Park Oval. The ramifications of this for both Perth and East Perth are significant. One does not have to extrapolate to much to realise that the Eagles could not care less what impact the alignment has on East Perth club and its supporters and would have no hesitation in dumping them for an alignment with Perth if it suited their purpose better.

As for the opprobrium toward East Perth it is perfectly understandable; if all nine WAFL clubs had remained opposed to the alignment it would not have happened.

This is without a doubt the best response I have had, brilliant!