Wagga Tigers leaving ACTFL

[goswannie14]

Just heard on Southern Cross News (Channel 10 in the city) that Wodonga is supporting Wagga Tigers move to the Ovens and Murray League.

Does anyone know how the 2 leagues compare for standards?

[stellation]

Ovens and Murray > ACTFL. Cheers to Wagga, jeers to ACTFL administration.

[ash]

Re: Wagga Tigers leaving ACTFL

Good to hear abot ACTAFL.

Without checking their site- what is top 4?

Originally posted by goswannie14
Just heard on Southern Cross News (Channel 10 in the city) that Wodonga is supporting Wagga Tigers move to the Ovens and Murray League.

Does anyone know how the 2 leagues compare for standards?

[Rafters]

I hear that Sydney Uni - one of the oldest (if not the oldest) clubs going around - is seriously considering going to ACTAFL because there appears to be a glass ceiling for them in Sydney. Has anyone heard anything similar?

[Roo]

I would suggest that if Sydney Uni were to go to the ACTAFL with there current playing roster and management they would struggle massively. Campbelltown proved in the 90's how hard it was to go down there and compete week in week out and at the time they had the best playing roster in Sydney (proved by winning the flag first year back in Sydney) and had people in full time positions running the football club.

It is a massive task logistically and financially and I dont think we will see another team from Sydney attempt it.

[Coastal Boy]

Originally posted by Rafters
I hear that Sydney Uni - one of the oldest (if not the oldest) clubs going around - is seriously considering going to ACTAFL because there appears to be a glass ceiling for them in Sydney. Has anyone heard anything similar?

IMO anyone who is seriously considering that is a goose. Among a thousand reasons, compulsary unionism at the Uni runs out in three weeks.

[reigning premier]

Just heard on Southern Cross News (Channel 10 in the city) that Wodonga is supporting Wagga Tigers move to the Ovens and Murray League.

Does anyone know how the 2 leagues compare for standards?

As a boy from the Nth east of Vic, I can tell you the the O&M league is pretty strong. No idea about ACT league but there wouldn't be much between the VFL and the O&M. It is one of the premier comps in Vic. Though it mainly consists of older players (They young ones get drafted to the AFL ).... They play some pretty good footy at that level...

[YoungKanga]

good news for wagga tigers, from wat ive heard over the last few years it was increasingly hard for tigers to keep a number of their youngsters, primarily due to financial constraints in contracting players. Players were able to get more money to play in the murray ovens league...so seems fittin the club is movin there.....

I know its bit over an hour between Wagga and albury...but so im guessing the travellin each weeks will have dcreased a little which im sure players will also be happy bout.

[GoEagles]

As a boy from the Nth east of Vic, I can tell you the the O&M league is pretty strong. No idea about ACT league but there wouldn't be much between the VFL and the O&M. It is one of the premier comps in Vic. Though it mainly consists of older players (They young ones get drafted to the AFL ).... They play some pretty good footy at that level...

No offence but the VFL would be a 50% better comp in standard than the OMFL. It is one of the premier comps in Victoria but it doesnt compare to the VFL.

Wagga struggled in the ACTFL but they would be a force in the OMFL. On top of that the VFL is much stronger than the ACTFL

[reigning premier]

No offence but the VFL would be a 50% better comp in standard than the OMFL. It is one of the premier comps in Victoria but it doesnt compare to the VFL.

Wagga struggled in the ACTFL but they would be a force in the OMFL. On top of that the VFL is much stronger than the ACTFL

Seriously doubt the 50% comment, perhaps 20%. The O&M is at least as strong as the Bendigo league and that's right up there.

But like I said, no idea on the ACTAFL.

[reigning premier]

Seems to be a fair bit of bagging the ACTAFL. Remember though that the Wagga Tigers have struggled massively in the ACTAFL affter dominating the Riverina comp so surely the standard must be OK.

Big issues is they now have a six team comp of which one team, Weston Creek, went bust last year and has been re-invented this year so there is a strong chance it will be a five team comp down there plus the Swans.

They have tried Batemans Bay who were dismal, Campbelltown had moderate success and now Wagga are gone. Not exactly the preparation for the Swans Reserves is it.

What we really need IMO is a strong State Comp - five teams from Canberra (Eastlake, Ainslie, Belconnen, Queenbeyan and Tuggeranong) and three Sydney teams with a promotion and relegation system dictating which Sydney teams are in the State League. This would leave a seven team SFL which could hopefully become an eight team one if a Manly or Penrith could be fostered by the NSWAFL as a project.

The only way, however, that this could happen would be for the AFL to bankroll this competition to a large extent, especially with the Sydney teams as most of the ACT teams have licensed clubs pumping huge amounts of cash in (I would think in excess of $100,000 per club) to achieve semi-professionalism and the standard required.

Wow.. that is a well thought out proposal. Succintly written and makes perfect sense.

What the hell is it doing here on RWO?????

Anyways, I like the idea. But I like any idea that will be of benefit to the Swans.

[wheels27]

The only way, however, that this could happen would be for the AFL to bankroll this competition to a large extent,

Sounds like a good idea Woodsy, I believe the area you mentioned which I have quoted here, would be the biggest hurdle. Not through self-serving administrators spending the grants elsewhere (though that could potentially be an issue) but more that I am not sure anyone at AFL HQ is actually listening to the concerns of locals within the "developing markets", strategies and spending budgets seem to be devised by someone south of the border, using strategies that work in football strong markets, but will never work elsewhere.
Pumping millions into Auskickers is admirable, and works in other states because once an 8-yr-old is playing footy they are in for life, so no further investment is required for that particular kid. 8-yr-olds in Sydney or Qld will attend these clinics through schools (one-off attendees at school clinics all count in the participation figures) but unless their local footy (senior & junior)club is strong and attractive to a young footballer there is no lure to play regularly.
AFL bosses seem to be reluctant to offer any support to senior footy, but this has to be the basis of any development of the game in these markets.
NSW footy needs a respected advocate who both understands the local situation, and has the ear of AFL chiefs. That advocate needs to be high profile and willing to make tough decisions about club and competition amalgamation and abolition etc. Unless the $$$$ are there to back that up, even the best blueprints for success have no hope.

I know that was long winded, sorry for that.

[SimonH]

What we really need IMO is a strong State Comp - five teams from Canberra (Eastlake, Ainslie, Belconnen, Queenbeyan and Tuggeranong) and three Sydney teams with a promotion and relegation system dictating which Sydney teams are in the State League...
The only way, however, that this could happen would be for the AFL to bankroll this competition to a large extent, especially with the Sydney teams as most of the ACT teams have licensed clubs pumping huge amounts of cash in (I would think in excess of $100,000 per club) to achieve semi-professionalism and the standard required.

Wagga Tigers are going back to the Riverina Football League, not O&M. And the story implies that they're returning with their tail between their legs, hoping to 'rebuild'; whereas the reason why they left their home region to play in Canberra in the first place, was because they were dominating the RFL too much and wanted a greater challenge.

This means that there's a 7-team comp in Canberra. The potential good news will be if the reborn and rebadged 'Canberra Wildcats' (Weston Creek) can be competitive; the bad news is that it's the return of the freakin' bye. 3 times in a 21-week comp. That could be the straw that broke the camel's back for the Swans; you'd expect that something will give, one way or t'other, in 2008.

The AFL has recently announced that it's investing tens of millions into developing the game in NSW (and ACT). You'd think that a few hundred thou, or a million or so at worst, could be invested in creating a top-level NSW/ACT comp that in a few years' time can hold its own against the other state leagues around Australia.

[GoEagles]

Seriously doubt the 50% comment, perhaps 20%. The O&M is at least as strong as the Bendigo league and that's right up there.

But like I said, no idea on the ACTAFL.

The 3 best country comps in Vic are the Ovens and Murray, Geelong football league and the Goulbourn Valley. Bendigo would be ranked 4th to 6th. I saw both standards last year and it would easily be 50%. Considering nearly all VFL teams are linked with AFL clubs that would make you think that it is pretty strong, quick football. I'd nearly say that the best reserves side in the VFL would give the top sides in each comp a run for their money. Why do i say that - because VFL reserve sides have afl listed players playing.

[Coastal Boy]

What makes anyone think that if so many teams have tried unsuccessfully at joining the ACTAFL that a state-based league on a similar travel basis for clubs would fair any better???
Also, I think the NSWAFL have clearly shown their hand when it comes to pouring money into senior competitions across NSW and it just aint going to happen in my lifetime.