TOPIC:

being floated, again by a lawyer.

seems there is no end of pundits ready to change the WAFL and lead us to the promised lannd.

Must be good because the northern messiah has even agreed that it would be good.

Just read the story. Would like to see what detail is in it. At least Ahern is challenging the system to at least think outside the square where by all WAFL Clubs may continue to exist

Whats going on, is the story online or in the West??? Can't see anything in today's Herald Sun.

The West-Footy lift out

Here is my analysis of the article:

According to Marcus Ahern the WAFL has the following problems:

ageing support and financial basis;
WAFL clubs operating on a day to day basis;
barely any strategic direction from the WAFC and the WAFL clubs;
situation would continue to worse as the WAFL's supporters continues to age - average age of supporter demographics and key financial basis is extending past 70 ages;
similarly for many directors and presidents.

His solution is to extend the Foxtel Cup predicated on the AFL providing sufficient financial support. The national league would be the premier competition with the state based clubs would attempt to qualify for it each year. Ther would be three clubs from each of the main football states of WA, SA and Victoria plus other clubs from Tasmania and the NEAFL.

The State Leagues would continue during the period with the clubs who qualified for the national league returning midway through the season.

Of the alleged problems identified by Marcus Ahern I fail to see how many, if any, would be addressed by his proposal. In fact, I would suggest that it would exacerbate the financial difficulties of most WAFL clubs. In addition it would effectively trash the history of the WAFL as the clubs would be ABSOLUTELY subservient to the AFL. There would be a complete degradation of the WAFL junior development programmes. His proposal would ensure that certain WAFL clubs would be forever cast as third class citizens.

swan42 wrote: Here is my analysis of the article:

According to Marcus Ahern the WAFL has the following problems:

ageing support and financial basis;
WAFL clubs operating on a day to day basis;
barely any strategic direction from the WAFC and the WAFL clubs;
situation would continue to worse as the WAFL's supporters continues to age - average age of supporter demographics and key financial basis is extending past 70 ages;
similarly for many directors and presidents.

His solution is to extend the Foxtel Cup predicated on the AFL providing sufficient financial support. The national league would be the premier competition with the state based clubs would attempt to qualify for it each year. Ther would be three clubs from each of the main football states of WA, SA and Victoria plus other clubs from Tasmania and the NEAFL.

The State Leagues would continue during the period with the clubs who qualified for the national league returning midway through the season.

Of the alleged problems identified by Marcus Ahern I fail to see how many, if any, would be addressed by his proposal. In fact, I would suggest that it would exacerbate the financial difficulties of most WAFL clubs. In addition it would effectively trash the history of the WAFL as the clubs would be ABSOLUTELY subservient to the AFL. There would be a complete degradation of the WAFL junior development programmes. His proposal would ensure that certain WAFL clubs would be forever cast as third class citizens.

Swan and others wasn't this the guy was big action abt the alignment and legal stuff, now he is suggesting the further diminishing of the WAFL. Does he work slater and gordon and needs some free advertising!

This would most probably lead to mergers and re-branding of some form to eventually evolve as a national second comp. Swan Valley Demons, Subiaco Tigers, Fremantle Bullsharks, Joondalup Falcons....

The WAFL clubs will have to save themselves eventually if the carrot is dangled, because the WAFC won't in my belief, and the WAFL comp will continually spiral out of existence.

Better some of that history continues on at a national bastardised level than not at all.

One needs to be realistic, the comp and clubs aren't going places currently. If the AFL decide on a second national competition, the rug may be pulled from under the feet of the WAFC.

East Perth and Peel could remain in a WAFL comp, playing the national comp reserves sides ie Swan Valley Demons reserves. EP and Peel wouldn't have reserves sides, and could possibly top up with players willing from the Ammo's.

MikeXU1 wrote: This would most probably lead to mergers and re-branding of some form to eventually evolve as a national second comp. Swan Valley Demons, Subiaco Tigers, Fremantle Bullsharks, Joondalup Falcons....

The WAFL clubs will have to save themselves eventually if the carrot is dangled, because the WAFC won't in my belief, and the WAFL comp will continually spiral out of existence.

Better some of that history continues on at a national bastardised level than not at all.

One needs to be realistic, the comp and clubs aren't going places currently. If the AFL decide on a second national competition, the rug may be pulled from under the feet of the WAFC.

East Perth and Peel could remain in a WAFL comp, playing the national comp reserves sides ie Swan Valley Demons reserves. EP and Peel wouldn't have reserves sides, and could possibly top up with players willing from the Ammo's.

Rest assured MikeXU1 if this proposal goes ahead it will result in the complete culling of the WAFL's history and clubs. Does anyone believe that Fitzroy is part of the AFL? I for one and I am sure it will apply to a significant majority of Swans' supporters would not feel any allegiance to a "Swan Valley Demons" team.

Ahern's idea is predicated on a complete takeover of the WAFL by the AFL and the complete decimation of the WAFL and its clubs. Further his proposal does NOTHING to address most of his concerns about the WAFL and its clubs. Further your suggestion indicates that not only would the WAFL competition no longer exist but the amateurs would be sacrificed to fill the insatiable appetite of the two WA domiciled AFL clubs and their masters in the AFL.

One doesn't need to even drill down to the fine details to see that his proposal does nothing to save the WAFL; rather it ensures the demise of the WAFL and its clubs in its entirety.

MikeXU1 wrote: This would most probably lead to mergers and re-branding of some form to eventually evolve as a national second comp. Swan Valley Demons, Subiaco Tigers, Fremantle Bullsharks, Joondalup Falcons....

The WAFL clubs will have to save themselves eventually if the carrot is dangled, because the WAFC won't in my belief, and the WAFL comp will continually spiral out of existence.

Better some of that history continues on at a national bastardised level than not at all.

One needs to be realistic, the comp and clubs aren't going places currently. If the AFL decide on a second national competition, the rug may be pulled from under the feet of the WAFC.

East Perth and Peel could remain in a WAFL comp, playing the national comp reserves sides ie Swan Valley Demons reserves. EP and Peel wouldn't have reserves sides, and could possibly top up with players willing from the Ammo's.

Mike

I see the future something like this,

the three sides will be ERT, WP and and or a Swans/demons - tiggers/soobi and soufs or Gummys so that there is a demographic spread and because the WAFC will accept that ert need to be in it to placate the weagles, peel due to their pathetic perormance will need to compete and prove their capability to not be an embarrassment

the clubs at Ressie level will form a secondary league with an age limit.

The colts competition will become a stand alone competition with the 18's squad players being made available to the secondary sides to ensure their development continuing

It will be the end of the WAFL and the beginning of a league where viability and community development will be left to the WAFL (new medium) and will effectively mirror the AFL process.

It would also mean the folding of some entities who will not be able to meet the conditions set by FOXTEL, The AFL and other interested parties.

I would still continue to do the colts stuff, perhaps, as that maybe the only link back to EP of old.

Swan42, I am Swans 110%.

Unfortunately irreparable damage has been done to the WAFL. Just when it was getting back on its feet, crowds up and even media coverage over east, including WAFL games on free to air TV via ABC2, the WAFC dump a steamer on the comp.

Let me make this clear. I would prefer a strong Swan Districts presence at any level.

As for the Swan Valley Demons, I hated the idea back in the mid 90's when it was touted too, but the way it is going, will Swan Districts see another 75 years in the diminishing WAFL? Will any team? Swans have dodged a number of bullets in the last 15 or so years.

Will the WAFL see another generation (20 years)?

Yes I agree Fitzroy are gone, but had the merger been bewteen two Vic teams rather than the Brisbane Bears, it could have been a different story.

I also know that the majority of Perth and SD supporters would find it hard to swallow, including me if there were to be a merger.

Would it be what they loose in us, is what they gain in the future? Will there still be a place for the 1961 flag on the wall of a club, or will it sell on Ebay for a small sum, only to be pinned up in the back of someones suburban shed?