TOPIC:

Gday everyone, new to posting but have been reading here on and off for years. I am not good with computers so please be patient with me!

I was discussing the alignment with a work mate this week. He moves in WAFL circles and is well known within a number of WAFL clubs (EP/EF/SF/PT/WCE and FFC). Apparently he was in a heated discussion with a WAFC Board member this season who discussed with him this proposal that has been agreed upon by the WAFC as a high probability -

2018/19 Proposal
1. East Perth and Perth will merge and move to the newly developed Lathlain Park where the Eagles base will be. EP/P will use the secondary oval and facilities and share parts of the Eagles facilities. The clubs proposed name will be put to the boards of each club for discussion. The (Perth Club will have no direct affiliation with the WCE.

2. East Fremantle and South Fremantle will merge and move to the newly developed Fremantle FC Complex in Cockburn. EF/SF will also have the same facility and use arrangements with FFC and the name of the club will also be put to those teams boards for discussion. The Fremantle Club will have no direct affiliation with the FFC.

3. Subiaco and Claremont will merge and move into the current Paterson's Stadium. The name of this club put to the boards. Paterson's will also become the main centre for the WAFC and all other commission sanctioned organisations. This will include all other training and educational organisations around Football in this state. SEDA/State Junior Comps/State Senior Comps/Umpiring/ etc. Many of these are already spread around the different WAFL clubs and local areas. Paterson's will be renamed the WAFC Centre for Excellence.

4. West Perth and Swan Districts will merge and move into the Joondalup ground which will receive a massive revamp over the next 4 years. The name will be discussed by the respective boards.

5. Peel Thunder will be removed from the competition.

6. WCE and FFC will have their own independent Reserves Teams in the WAFL competition.

Reasoning
1. The Commission have identified that EPFC and SFC have been working successfully together for a number of years under the "Shared Ground" arrangement. They believe it can and will work across the entire competition.

2. The merging of clubs will assist in the strengthening of the competition and will allow the WAFC to make the competition more attractive and cost effective.

3. The complete alteration of recruiting zones will ensure the strength of the clubs more evenly and allow for the strength to compete successfully with the AFL reserves sides.

4. A "marriage" with the WA AFL teams will allow the competition to thrive with the assistance and guidance of the AFL directly, including funding which can be more generously spread across the 4 WAFL team system.

Some of this does ring true to me, yet some does seem a massive step. I have worked with this person for 15 years and he is very switched on with a lot of what does and has happened here in WA Footy.

Thoughts?

I can't see all those merges happening 80srule as it will only provide 4 non AFL aligned teams which I would think is not enough to provide development pathways for young players. It would strengthen the comp no end but will also result in the loss of a lot of players which is not a desired outcome when the WAFC is looking for growth.

i can see ground sharing happening but doubt eight teams will merge into 4.

I can't see any club agreeing to much of that agenda. Can only speak about EP, when I questioned the powers that be about a merger with Perth they laughed at me will not happen while their still breathing was the quote.

I like number 5...

Good Post '80srule':

1 the Fremantle merger is silly
2 ditto for the SD, WP
3 the others may be possible with a lot of arm twisting
4 My suggestion if I had to support some sort of 'brave new football world' would be as follows:

Easts
South
WP
Swans
Perth/EP
S/C
plus the two silly AFL clubs

My preference would be that the merged clubs literally keep their colours and names. For example: Subiaco-Claremont, subi jumper at home and claremont jumper away.

My number one concern is the business about 'assistance and guidance directly from the AFL'. AFL WA here we come.

Cheers

here's a silly idea...why don't we go back to eight teams being

S, Cl, EP, WP, Perth, SF, EF and SD...and Freo and WCE can pi$$ off.
:-0

BC -- good for you.

Can't say I disagree with you BC.

First priority for me is piss Peel off.

I would expect there to be a contingency or a derivative of this proposal. I would expect an overall 8 teams to also be the go.

As an EPFC supporter, I would also expect the EP/P merger to be "silly" and that a SF/EF one is more plausible. This will no doubt change depending on who supports who.

Overall though, I believe the Venues will be the driving force behind any decision made by the WAFC. It seems they will aim to have only 4 centres of footy in WA by 2018. Subiaco/Cockburn/Lathlain/Joondalup.

EF and SF are venues that are almost daily being pressured to give up due to the value of the land they are on. EF Ground is deplorable and any money spent on it will be a waste. Claremont is the same.

Whoever keeps their jumper and identity will, I suppose depend on who screams the loudest!!!

So why are Claremont redeveloping their ground to the extent that they are if no WAFL footy will be played there? Doesn't make sense