[KuRoregioNka]

I reckon the concept of this "Super League" idea is quite good for state league football competitions. I have already heard people saying it will lead to a permanent second & third division type competition down the track, but that is a logistic impossibility.

WAFL, SANFL and most VFL players are people with jobs and careers and unless we are talking $millions of dollars here, it will never happen.... However the idea of having the top 4 sides from all these competitions competing is OK. Much like the old ESCORT CUP series back in the 70's and 80's ... But has any consideration been taken for the VFL sides who are made up of entire lists of AFL players ?? The WAFL and SANFL have player allocations split evenly across all teams, yet the VFL clubs have alignments with AFL clubs themselves. And even the salary caps for all comps vary quite substancially. The SANFL is widely known to be some $350,000 higher per season & per club than the WAFL. The WAFL will be on the back foot in terms of comparisons with both the VFL and SANFL for various reasons... The question should be asked, are we taking our brand to the sword here ?

Image is everything these days and the WAFL has found a niche over the past few years in the local footy supporters agenda. Crowds are up, the standard has definently lifted and the comp itself appears to be evening out with the introduction of the points system.... And WAFL clubs are living within their means compared to some of the SANFL Clubs (ie.Port Adelaide Magpies) who are having massive financial problems at the moment. We are sacraficing some quality in terms of how much we pay our players, which keeps our clubs at least surviving. This makes their clubs possibly stronger, but at what price ?? Now we are going to put ourselves (The WAFL) up against these clubs on the main stage (Foxtel) to possibly be seen as inferior to the VFL and SANFL.... Is it worth it ? Remember when the Eagles were formed and we were lead to beleive that the South Australians would follow right behind WA... It did not happen as the SANFL sat back to see how it all eventuated. They actually played it cool and smart. They waited another 4 years before taking the leap... Maybe the WAFL should seek the same path here. It can be about making yourselves look bad, when in fact you are severly disadvantaged before you even start.

The WAFL deserves the right to try before it buy's, so to speak. I think the concept is a great one for local football, but it needs to looked at in a true context. It is easy just to say lets be involved. But the facts are we are disadvantaged and this disadvantage is designed to keep our clubs rolling along in 100 years time, not looking at bankrupcy like the Port Magpies are... Having said that I think both Claremont and Swan Districts would put on a good showing against some of these other sides. But that is based on last year. Swans are not a one trick pony, but take an Andy Krakouer out of that side and it could be a different story.

If the WAFL go into this series they should do it with two clubs only. The series should start small and be given the time to build, if it in fact does. The whole idea will need the financial backing of Foxtel, and whether they commit for 5,10,20 or even 50 years who knows. I cannot see the AFL spending one cent on it.... But how good would it be to see say a Swan Districts play SANFL heavyweight Central Districts at Steel Blue Oval ? It would be great exposure on a National TV scale and it would attract a masive crowd at Basso.. And possibly watching East Perth take on say a Port Melbourne on LIVE TV from the eastern states would be great... And the Subiaco side from a few years ago probably would have wiped the floor with many of these type of challengers. That would be a huge boost for the image of the WAFL and something money could not buy.... It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all, but it we must see it for what it actually is. A great concept where the WAFL is starting with a severe handicap. That is a cold hard fact.

I would love to see others idea's on this. It is a great concept, but do others see it they way I do??

[gambleingsites]

some interesting points there GM; certainly once the initial positive hysteria dies down; the devil will be in the detail. Questions that will need to be asked & answered by those in power before they give it a tick of approval are who will bank role such a competition & how do you guarantee the evenness of this competition especially given the differences in salary caps & access to quality players within the state based competitions? don't want to create another competition where only 1 state wins (e.g Escort Cup comes to mind).

For me i think the AFL should be bank rolling all salary caps in these state competitions as they gain the most benefit from the such competitions (e.g these competitions provide the core of the junior development base and are the breeding ground for future AFL players) & $40k per AFL player recruited does not provide even a slim amount of the economic cost of producing each AFL player.

Dare i say it if Foxtel are the driving force behind such a proposal then a significant portion of the cost burden should also be born by them as they are also likely to be significant benefactors of such a proposal including greater ability to sell commercal spaces available on the Digital media & increased % of people watching Murdoch. This has a 2 fold affect on profitability of a commercial entity such as Fox as greater % audience base increases the cost of purchasing marketing spaces available on a network.

But may i suggest another issue that may also need to be resolved is if Aussie Rules does not take this commercial option what sport will take its place? and if another sport take this option will this sport be competing for the same junior base and sponsorship dollar in market place that 2nd tier competitions such as WAFL/SANFL & VFL are competing for now?

[Scfdglkn]

the devil will be in the detail. Questions that will need to be asked & answered by those in power before they give it a tick of approval

My concern is the WAFL have already said it is a goer, and the talk is about this comp starting in April. That's all well & good but are they actually looking at the details and consequences for local footy in this state ?....

Dare i say it if Foxtel are the driving force behind such a proposal then a significant portion of the cost burden should also be born by them

From what has been reported, Foxtel are prepared to cover all the costs. And so they should because WAFL clubs would struggle to pay for travelling expenses alone. It is like anything new. Once it gets off the ground and gathers momentum and interest, sponsors start jumping on and the money rolls in. Then the clubs will filter in some of the costs because they can afford it... If the concept works

But may i suggest another issue that may also need to be resolved is if Aussie Rules does not take this commercial option what sport will take its place? and if another sport take this option will this sport be competing for the same junior base and sponsorship dollar in market place that 2nd tier competitions such as WAFL/SANFL & VFL are competing for now?

This is why the concept still needs to be taken seriously. Despite the variances and I guess uneveness of the comps in question, it could develop into something that state league football comps around Australia have been craving. It can lead to exposure that will attract sponsors and give clubs some financial breathing space that would be welcomed. And it is in effect, a "part time" competition that will not eat into regular seasons too much. It should still be started on a trial like basis and the clubs should be encouraging this. But when there is money involved and that money is from Foxtel, clubs are not in a negotiable type position. They will put an offer on the table and expect clubs to follow it. Simple as that. Maybe that is how this whole thing will get started

[Weislenalkata]

some serious concerns detailed there GM; I'm certainly for it if a champions league format can provide real financial incentive & broad spectator appeal for the state based leagues across Australia i will be the first to rush out & buy a foxtel membership. But the format will need to be controlled by these leagues as we don't won't the scenario that rugby league encountered with the purchasing of clubs licences controlled by Murdoch or a war between competing commercial businesses such as that which occured between Murdoch controlled Super league & Nine Network controlled NRL. This effectively split their code and set its development as a national competition back a significant number of years and lead to possibly the AFL gaining a foothold in these states.

Perhaps I'm just being overly cynical but this might be an effort by Foxtel to develop an alternative brand to compete against the AFL in the future as the cost of purchasing the broadcasting rights on the AFL are spiralling out of control & becoming prohibitive for competing electronic media interests. Perhaps I have been watching to many conspiracy movies but if this Champion Leagues gains broad audience appeal across Australia maybe this will diminish the AFL's ability to sell their product on the open market? just food for thought

[loan4younow]

TBH i cant see the AFL being one bit concerned about it... They have a product that is second to none as far as popularity and sponsorship goes.

If Foxtel were looking at a complete takover then I would be cautious for the exact reasons you mentioned with rugby league... But this is only a pre-season type format and I guess a knockout series, so it really is only a small venture by Foxtel in terms of what they could actually do.

I can see it possibly gaining some Free to Air interest given the amount of stations available now. Whatever station has no AFL rights could see it as a chance to broadcast domestic football.

[ovenco]

where does all this leave aunty ABC??? re foxtels involvement...given the ABC covers local footy in all the states that would be taking part in this...I hope to f?ck foxtel don't try & BUY the rights off the ABC cause that will be the END of free to air coverage of the WAFL...

WAFC are very, very $$$ orientated & nothing would surprise me! > >

[tilmprarnerit]

The way I see it the ABC are in it for the long haul and have been the only true loyalist to the WAFL since 1987.... And live WAFL rates very well statewide for ABC TV.

Foxtel are about $$$ and there is really nothing wrong with that... But I do hope the WAFL consult with the ABC regarding this. I cant see it being a problem as technically they will be separate competitions. But take the ABC Broadcasting (TV and Radio) out of the equation and it will leave a masssive hole in the WAFL and the other state leagues.

The WAFL need to consider all of this I agree SFFC4ever.

If Foxtel dump the concept after a few years and we have lost the ABC in the process, do you think Foxtel will offer the same level of commitment to the WAFL each Saturday afternoon ?? I think we all know the answer to that. The only benefit that the ABC may get out of this (and this could be used by the WAFL to soften any blow), is that it lifts the profile of the WAFL and therefore lifts the level of interest for there own broadcasting. It can be seen as a catch 22 for them and it may actually see even more people tune in to live WAFL on a Saturday. Thats a bonus for the ABC....

But I do remember that there was a stage 1987-1989 I think where both Channel 7 and the ABCTV were televising WAFL... The ABC did the a whole game like they do today, and Channel 7 televised live a last quarter of another game.

Anyway, we have not heard much more about it since it was splashed across the back page of the paper. Hopefully we (the public) will hear more details soon.

[mXr8icOB]

Looks like this new concept may have trouble getting off the ground. I am suprised they are pushing so fast for it to start in April next year. Why they dont take a chill pill and plan for 2012 is beyond me. It really sounds like a comp that needs good planning and sponsorship. If it is done half cocked from the start, it could resemble a busted wheel.... Cannot see why those in charge dont just take some extra planning time and get everything done 100% correctly. It will only benefit the idea much better for the long term.

It appears the WAFL fixtures will be released later than normal due to the uncertainties surrounding this new comp that is being proposed for April.... How they are going to match in teams byes with 5 other state league's will be a bloody hard excercise.

And what a crock having these games being played "before" AFL games as curtain raisers as has been proposed. They will be played in massive empty stadiums as most AFL fans couldnt care less for state leagues. These games should be played at the boutique suburban grounds that will have more atmosphere. Seeing 5,000 at say Bassendean Oval will be better than 500 at a 45,000 seat stadium.... Sometimes it makes you wonder what planet league bosses are on. They have no feel for domestic footy, with hairbrain idea's that lack common sense.

[spaxiaroorbes]

Hope that this League does not lead to a clubs over extending their financial base for perceived glory of Foxtel coverage.

IMHO am elite state league is a worthwhile concept as long as it does not put clubs into debt chasing a silver lining.

[wrenjmerg]

Looks like the concept is hitting a few big snags according to the Sunday Times... The WAFL have drawn up 2 sets of fixtures (one including the comp & one without). They are apparently going with the top 3 teams (SD,CL,EP) and trying to match the games in with all the other state leagues is becoming a nightmare I would imagine.

Given it is a knockout comp involving 5 states, how the hell are they going to arrange fixtures ?? One team gets knocked out and a different opposition from another state league continues. There is no real pattern to it, so how they can work out set fixturing seems near on impossible.

The WAFL have stated that this Foxtel deal cannot effect the ABC telecast directly which is a great ackowledgement by them. I hope they never comprimise that and if it came push to shove on it I hope they sit this first one out. Look after what we have here first. The WAFL have a good thing going here and they need to be mindful of the ABC coverage. Take that away and we have nothing imo. The ABC are ultra proffessional and here for the long haul... Foxtel are only in it for money and dont ever bet on them being a long term viable option. The ABC must be consulted through the entire process. The WAFL need to show the same loyalty that the ABC (TV & Radio) have shown us. Unlike Channel 7 and stations like 6PR who have blown off WAFL for soccer, rugby and 6 hours of Eagles and Dockers talk talk and more talk...

[bF8CCmmr]

This on again off again Super League now looks a goer after the publishing of the fixtures for it next season. Though it is still a proposed first round fixture only at this stage.

April 2nd East Perth v North Ballarat at Patersons Stadium (C/R to Fremantle v Geelong).

April 9th Swan Dists v Williamstown at Patersons Stadium (C/R to Eagles v Sydney).

April 23rd Clarence v Claremont at Bellerive Oval (Tasmania)

The SANFL teams (Central Dists, Woodville/West Torrens & Norwood) all play the weaker ranked teams from NSW and QLD which I find amusing.

It is still subject to the WAFL getting the all clear with the ABC in regard to the telecast arrangements. I think it is fanastic that the WAFL have verbally stated they will not proceed with this competition without consulting with the ABC.... Grant Dorrington stated that the ABC is the most important promotional vehicle the WAFL has. Ratings last season showed that 3 million people watched the WAFL telecasts on Saturday afternoons. The ABC will be protected regardless they say.

Its important they stay true to that theory.

[occalmnab]

Damn, may have to go to a Dockers game

But yay for the fixturing being published.

[vigraxtru]

North Ballarat have won the last 3 VFL flags !! I think EP have the toughest game of the lot but what the hell. Hope the boys give it a good crack.

North Ballarat are a club that has been around since 1882 apparently. This is the club where Tony Lockett came from, along with Adam Goodes. And Mick Malthouse cut his teeth down there too.... All the North Melbourne players play down there when not selected by the Kangaroos. I wonder if there is going to be some kind of limit to how many AFL registered players can play in some of these sides. There would be a large imbalance here I would think.

A real shame these games are not played at local grounds as most supporters will not be able to attend unless they are members of an AFL club. And if you dont have foxtel then I suppose you can only hope your WAFL club has foxtel in the clubrooms.

[nuveem7070]

G'day all. first time poster on your forum from south oz. this whole champions league stinks of AFL trying to dominate the state comps. even more if that's possible. at the time of my writing of this post the top three teams from last season here, central, norwood and the eagles are saying they won't be playing although that is yet to be confirmed. the teams who finished after them glenelg, and sturt have also said they are not interested.north can't be contacted but port,west,and the wooden spooners south have indicated they would play if asked. if that were the case it would make a farce of the whole thing. I would like nothing more than to see my mob central playing your premiers but I would like to see this type of comp happen without the imput (meddling) by the AFL. not likely due to the cost but even pre season games between the states would be great. sounds like a great GF played in WA this year 1 point I think? 1 goal seperated central and norwood over here, imagine a game between the two premiers, I think it would be a fantastic event. if I win the lotto on december 31 I will bankroll it myself. I will keep an eye on your comp next season and being a bulldog over here I have to go for south freo. good luck to all next year. merry xmas to all.

[cialviagra]

I haven't been following this story much but I think it's a great idea but I don't think it should interfere with local comps. Don't those dates coincide with WAFL fixtures? This type of carnival should take place before the start of the state comps imo. It would act as pre season scratch matches for those sides competing but on a more intense level.

Going by player gains and losses so far, i reckon EP will do very well while Swans will struggle. Unfortunatley that's the down side of playing it the following year, there is usually a lot of player changes as well as coaching changes from the year before.

[bomondus]

I agree with Bullydog and some of what you say DD has merrit too.... My only concern is this concept has been too rushed. And if those South Aussie sides dont take part then it really does make a bit of a mockery.

And I agree 100%... I dont like the AFL involvement either. Playing the games before AFL games mean the true local followers will miss out. Why not play the games on WAFL grounds that are far more people freindly and have much better atmosphere ?? I guess that is where the AFL and Foxtel come in.... Regardless I think maybe we should just see how it goes for now. Every new thing has its question marks and what have local clubs got to lose here. It is unprecedented exposure and I guess that is why the WAFL clubs have grasped it.

It was only a few years ago that North Adelaide were going to come over to WA to play Subiaco at Leederville Oval in a pre-season game in March. It eventually got cancelled for some reason which was dissapointing for us. One of my best mates is from Adelaide and is a mad North Adelaide supporter and he was gutted when it was cancelled. I think the WAFL, SANFL and VFL clubs should be playing more of these "challenge" games anyway. Its a good novelty way of promoting football outside of the AFL and a good lead-up to the regular season.

[Twendypreency]

according to the news here tonight north west and port will be the teams to play in the champions comp. definately a farce in my eyes but I can see why the top teams wont agree. the biggest problem here is most clubs dont trust the AFL and refuse to be bullied by demitriou and his gang. demitriou and our own leigh whicker are best of mates and only have AFL interests at heart. so I get the feeling after being forced by the said men to bail out port power and port magpies with a merger the clubs couldn't give a toss about helping make the AFL look better.

[enrisaabsotte]

What's the latest on this comp? Is it still going ahead and will there be any SA teams competing? And when is it due to kick off?

[sam]

Its all go apparently DD.

But most of the SA teams opted out of it. I think Woodville/West Torrens and West Adelaide are competing in it. I am not sure which other SA team has agreed.

The SANFL clubs get to play the weaker state teams in NSW and ACT I think. The WAFL clubs play the stronger VFL sides made up mainly of AFL players. I know EP play North Ballarat first up and they have won the last 3 VFL flags I think. Swans play Williamstown and Claremont have to travel to Tasmania to play Clarence. I think these games are due to be played in the first 5 or 6 rounds of the year (when EP SD and CL have their byes).

And Greater Western Sydney are competing in it too. I guess its a novelty thing but I dont like that at all. I guess thats what happens when the AFL gets involved. The comp is still worth a try if it helps lift the profile of domestic football. I just think they should have waited another year and built up more corporate support and less AFL influence. None of us diehards will be able to attend the games which is average imo.... But we will see how it goes. We will never know unless its tested.

[NewYorkDoctorD]

So it's not going to be a sort of pre season comp then Gas?