NSW-ACT State League?

[Sydneyfan]

Some good suggestions there, robbieando, Charlie and TheMase. A couple of areas I overlooked in my initial post were further up the North Coast (north of Port Macquarie up to the border), the New England region (Tamworth, Armidale plus anywhere further north or west of those cities).

Does anyone know of the quality of the leagues in these areas? I know there's a North Coast AFL, Tamworth AFL, Summerland AFL(?) and North West AFL(?)

I'd presume that they wouldn't be all that great so it probably be suffice just to have the Newcastle-Central Coast side accomodate players from these regions.

[robbieando]

Charlie first of all NSWAFL doesn't have control in the Murray area, even though part of it is in NSW. Players born in NSW are regarded as NSW. However the clubs are not and are under the control of Football Victoria.

I know because my Mother was born in Nathalia which is 30km from the border and the local side plays in the Murray League. The NSW based clubs have in the past refused such a move because they get better standard of football than in NSW.

[the manager]

3 SFL teams (North Shore, Campbelltown, St George)
2 SFA/SFL composite teams made up of Sydney North (Norwest Jets, Manly, Pennant Hills and East Coast Eagles) & Sydney West (Parramatta, Penrith, Western Suburbs and Balmain)
3 ACTAFL Teams (Ainslie, Tuggeranong, Swans Reserves)
1 MVAFA Team (Wagga)
3 CWAFL Teams (Orange, Cowra & Katoomba-Lithgow)

That would be my State League


the manager

[Charlie]

Wagga is in the Canberra league.... and 3 CWAFL teams???

You think it's as strong as the SFL or ACTAFL??? No way. I haven't seen the standard of play but you won't convince me of that, ever!

[robbieando]

Was thinking about this last night while bored at work. What about a 12 team league to start with. The brake up as follows

Swans
NSW/ACT Rams
4x Sydney Based teams (SFL)
3x Canberra based teams (ACTAFL)
Wagga Tigers
Illwarra based team
and
Hunter Valley based team.

Now first of all I have included the Rams because I was think of the benifit of having these kids play at a higher level and how much of a bonus that would be to us because when we draft them we know they are that extra bit ready for the step up to AFL and that could save heaps of time. The SFL teams brought in would be either stand alone teams or mergers covering Inner Sydney, Western Sydney, Northern Sydney and Southern Sydney. The 3 Canberra based team would for me be Ainslie, Tuggeranong and Quenbeyan. I would suggest moving St George to Illwarra to give that side a chance to have a solid side to start with. Hunter Valley would be a side to grow long term.

Now this League should have 3 years to steady itself before introducing 2 new teams to make 14. It also gives you time to set up 2 new clubs be it in Albury, Dubbo, Broken Hill, Cofts Habour or even another Canberra based team. I would be inclined to give Canberra a 4th team and Cofts Habour a team.

It can't be State Wide stright away but it should be able to cover most major areas of NSW/ACT first before going fully state wide. Alot of issue have to be worked out such as which clubs, facitiltes, costs, sponsors, media coverage and travel before it is attempted but given the right start there is no reason why it shouldn't work.

[the manager]

Do not relocate St George to Wollongong as there is already a strong SFA Side based there

[TheMase]

Originally posted by Charlie
Wagga is in the Canberra league.... and 3 CWAFL teams???

You think it's as strong as the SFL or ACTAFL??? No way. I haven't seen the standard of play but you won't convince me of that, ever!

I have seen the standard of play. I play in it

You're entirely correct though. It would probably be the standard of the Black Diamond or the SFA.
There are some gun players out here though