TOPIC:

swan42 wrote:

mikeh wrote: I think the WACA is an ideal location for WAFL. One or two teams playing there and the Grand final as well. we have to look beyond our blind club loyalties and see what is more likely to sustain our competition for the next 40 years and I think there may need to be some amalgamations and co-locations because most clubs will struggle financially into the future unless this happens.

Mikeh which clubs do you think should/could amalgamate and who do you think should play games at the WACA ground?

Not sure Swan42, I don't want to nominate particular ones for amalgamation because I know that every club ( with the possible exception of Peel) has their own rich history and tradition and rusted on supporters and it would be a very sensitive and painful process to compromise this history as East Perth have done already. However the reality is that for various reasons the financial viability of the competition as it is now is not sustainable and unless some drastic action is taken I can see a number of WAFL clubs going out of business over the next 10 - 15 years. Surely it would be better to start thinking about how the competition can survive in some form with the identities of the existing clubs at least partially intact rather than watching traditional clubs slowly go down the drain.
In answer to your other question I would think Perth would be the obvious choice to play some of their games at the WACA from 2018 when there is likely to be a higher demand on Lathlain Park. Other than that it could be used as a 'neutral venue' where preseason competitions and double headers could be played, particularly during the warm early season months.

swan42 wrote:

DD wrote: First of all a note to the knockers who mock those of us who refer to Swans v Perth battles as the Eastern Derby, take a good hard look at the amount of activity on the Perth and Swans boards compared to your club and where these two sides sit on the ladder. Always a great rivalry between these two clubs, maybe it's because our zones are neighbouring each other and no more than a 25 min ride from Lathlain to Basso. Maybe it's because both clubs have had their struggles to survive over the past 20 years or so?

Even though Swans usually have the wood on us I always enjoy our battles and enjoy the trip to Bassendean Oval who's facilities and catering are as good as any in the WAFL. Both supporters are passionate regardless of ladder position and I will go as far to say if there is ever to be a merger in the WAFL then this is the one. Open for debate

DD, Bazza and Southerner I personally would walk away if Swans merged with anyone or if they got into bed with either of the devils incarnate.

Although it would never be the same in one sense, its really only we old WAFL people who have legacy memories of the days when it was the biggest comp in town, fact is in 20 - 30 yrs time our generation the last of the legacy generation will be just about gone or close to it, as Mike says its not about the past its about the next decades.

If I was still around I dare say I would embrace the change and still go along to the new merged local club. despite the fact my family have been in-volved in SFFC for nearly 100 yrs. Our traditional clubs as we know them are the result of many changes and mergers and foldings themselves. SFFC only emerged from the defunct Fremantle FC.

We have to start better promoting and marketing our traditional inner suburban rivalries that have been ongoing some for well over 100 years not like the johnny come latelys in the the AFL with their "Western Derby". We have 5 genuine Derby contests in the WAFL that we need to be fixtured around the public holidays like Foundation Day, Easter long weekend and or Anzac Day they being-

Fremantle Derby- SF vs EF
Perth Derby- WP vs EP
Eastern Derby- SD vs P
Powder Puff Derby- C vs $ (between the 2 pussy cats/ felines based in the Western suburbs)
Fat Rats Clacker Derby- WART vs FART

mikeh wrote: I think the WACA is an ideal location for WAFL. One or two teams playing there and the Grand final as well. we have to look beyond our blind club loyalties and see what is more likely to sustain our competition for the next 40 years and I think there may need to be some amalgamations and co-locations because most clubs will struggle financially into the future unless this happens.

Yep spot on, Id like to see all that as well, I think the WACA with it central location/lights and surrounds would be ideal. Perhaps a slightly earlier start to the season with more night games, twilight double headers and a night GF , get the oxygen away from the AFL and get airtime on broadcasters.

I would like to see all finals played back at a central venue as was always the case.

Bazza wrote:

ArkRoyal wrote: To be honest I would like to see Perth move out to the WACA, otherwise I think they will end up as the poor relation in an alignment with the Eagles.

I also would like to see them back at the WACA and the WACA the new revamped home of WAFL Football with Finals and GFs played there with a boutique stadium of 20,000 in comfort and excellent lights for night games with TV broadcasts.

I only see the WCE Lathlain move going two ways, Perth staying and becoming the host club, with EP drifting off into the sunset, who knows what their financial viability will be alone, or Perth leaving and striving to stay independent maybe with a move to the WACA or long term part of a new supercharged Eastern Suburbs club.

Me Too

Grassy wrote: If we are merged,be it Swans or the weazles,that's pretty much it for me with Aussie Rules.

I'm off to The World Game,despite Blatter trying to Splatter the Round ball code.

The WAFL will die quicker if SD and Perth merge as we have the two biggest supporter bases. Would have to be clubs with bugger all like $ubi and Claremont. I would rather see the WAFL die completely, and it would be dead, instead of any merger between Swans and anyone else

I think you are wrong on both counts Swandog.Swans no longer have the supporter base they once had and secondly,clubs that are not strong financially will also be under the pump.Supporter numbers have little relevance,given that we are no longer talking in thousands of difference between clubs.but rather hundreds.Clubs that are weak on field and off field will in my opinion be the first ones to go under or merge.No prizes for guessing which teams I am talking about.Anyway,I really do not want any clubs to fold or merge ,but it's not looking good unfortunately.

Mudlark wrote: I think you are wrong on both counts Swandog.Swans no longer have the supporter base they once had and secondly,clubs that are not strong financially will also be under the pump.Supporter numbers have little relevance,given that we are no longer talking in thousands of difference between clubs.but rather hundreds.Clubs that are weak on field and off field will in my opinion be the first ones to go under or merge.No prizes for guessing which teams I am talking about.Anyway,I really do not want any clubs to fold or merge ,but it's not looking good unfortunately.

That's crap! The WAFL needs its one and only team from the Eastern corridor in the comp!! With the talent pathways that SD provide, the biggest turnover in the comp plus sells more merchandise than any other club 2 to 1 I think our future is secure and there is no way SD will merge with another club, the members wouldn't have it for a start and the WAFL know they will be the big loser!

We agree to disagree Swandog.Selling stubble holders and beanies don't cut the mustard in the real world.Currently your club are vulnerable both on the field and off the field and in the law of the jungle,the weakest are the first to succumb.

Only a new board will get you to the WACA ground