FFS, get out of bed earlier...

[cruiser]

I would love to see the Swans entered back into a VFL competition as South Melbourne.

Surely, 25 years since the relocation to Sydney, we can accept and move on?

[ItsAllGoodes]

Surely, 25 years since the relocation to Sydney, we can accept and move on?

Its not a case of 'accepting and moving on'. I did that long ago.

I am talking about this from the perspective of:

- having the team playing within a strong competition, which is a long way off in NSW and/or Canberra

- having the team getting a level of support attending games, i think more VICs would go to a Swans Reserves game in the VFL than Sydneysiders (I may be wrong, but my gut feel says I am not)

- enabling the Swans to continue to maintain the VIC support...and in fact to increase it

- raise additional revenue...again I think VICs would pay an additional fee for a Swans VFL membership...not sure Sydneysiders could be asked to pay more than they are already paying

- additional sponsorship opportunties

And all is premised on the thought that the AFL will create a revised Victorian competition (i.e. the Reserves) that wont include Sydney and Brisbane.

If they create a Reserves competition that does include Sydney and Brisbane...well then my idea wouldnt be needed...and I would gladly support such a team

[hammo]

I don't think it was a comment against people who have over real commitments on Saturday morning.

Except the part where he said:

But only 5% of posters, if that, actually bother to get their backsides to the 2's and watch and support!!!

Melbourne based fans have an absolutely valid excuse, but Sydney based fans have none.

[swantastic]

I would love to see the Swans entered back into a VFL competition as South Melbourne. Ground wise - it would probably mean sharing the Port Melbourne ground, which is seen as one of the better grounds in the VFL


Yes I know there is an increased cost in areas such as travel, but there are also potential revenue gains, e.g. memberships

How many Vic based members would pay an extra, lets say $50 a year, to add a VFL Swans memership to their package

10,000 members @ $50 each = $500,000

You may even be able to grow the 10,000 memberships as I imagine alot of people choose not to become members because they only get 5-6 games

There would have to be additional sponsorships available from VIC-based companies trying to get a foothold in Sydney or vice versa...I am thinking the utilities like Origin Energy. Get a company like Virgin to sponsor, their colours are essentially red (and white) which may give discounts on travel...or Qantas...also red and white?

There would be additional merchandise...sales of South Melbourne jumpers etc

Some very good points IAG,but as Melbourne members go you get the entry into the 6 games in Victoria and access to 3 in Sydney(TS and SCG).I would be happy to part with a 50 no probs.

[Layby]

Not that i agree with it

But

the reason we stopped sending players to port was the enourmous costs, let alone the extra costs/licence difficulties with a stand alone team.

It wont happen.

[AussieAnge]

Not that i agree with it

But

the reason we stopped sending players to port was the enourmous costs, let alone the extra costs/licence difficulties with a stand alone team.

It wont happen.

We will then have to continue to lament the lack of interest and competition in the reserves

[Wardy]

I'm normally at the ground as the gates open really only to get the seats in the MA Noble that we prefer - ORB turns up a few minutes later and does the reserves match report - I watch bits and peices, try and read the player numbers that he cant, but the interest, if I'm honest, really isnt there. I normally read the newspaper (so stone me!!!) It is a given that it will be a landslide victory - rarely does it get exciting, except when the opposition finally scores a goal say in the third quarter - that gets the crowd of 150 or so going.
There are those who have the time get there early (or make the time) and there are those who dont - and those who choose not too, its their perogative.

[ItsAllGoodes]

Some very good points IAG,but as Melbourne members go you get the entry into the 6 games in Victoria and access to 3 in Sydney(TS and SCG).I would be happy to part with a 50 no probs.

You get access to 6 games currently...in some years this has been 5..so we have to fight for 6 and can't be guarenteed 6 each year. One of these has tended to be Geelong at Geelong...which many supporters struggle to get to....there is often an Essendon game at Telstra Stadium that you need to pay extra for a seat.

You get access to 3 Sydney games IF you are a certain level of Supporter and IF you can afford to travel to Sydney.

So some members may only get to 4-5 games a year. Having more access to the Swans Reserves may create more value for VIC supporters, retaining members over time and potentially encouraging more members. It may also be important in maintaining the next generation of Swans members

As for the previous experience of being aligned with Port Melbourne...yes this failed partly due to costs. However it also failed for reasons that most of the aligned teams have failed....you cannot play ALL your Reserves players, you dont have as much control as to the positions that players play in or the style of game they play. This is the reason the Club gives for favouring the Canberra league...although we are now having the issue of not being able to play all our players, as well as a significant number of byes.

There was no attempt to gain any additional revenue from this "Port Melbourne" team as it was still a Port Melbourne team. I am suggesting we sell memberships to a Swans Reserves team as well as seek sponsors, to partly offset the costs.

I doubt that the team could ever run at a profit...but what price do you give to our Resreves playing in a competition that creates better Seniors players?


Look..I doubt it will happen. I am still hoping the AFL recreates the Reserves competition and includes Sydney and Brisbane. I simply think that as an option it should be explored for all the benefits it could create.

[reigning premier]

He's right.... Being a Melbourne based Sydney supporter blows the big one. I've been both so know how crap it is down there for our supporters.

You get stiffed on the number of games, the coverage (If Sydney is playing another interstate team, forget watching it on FTA TV), and are still copping out lot of cash to be a member for the privilege.

Though I do still love going to Bell's hotel in Sth Melbourne to watch the Sunday afternoon games....

[hammo]

There was no attempt to gain any additional revenue from this "Port Melbourne" team as it was still a Port Melbourne team. I am suggesting we sell memberships to a Swans Reserves team as well as seek sponsors, to partly offset the costs.

Your argument is well thought out but there are lots of flaws. For starters, I would expect the Swans would need to play all their games away in the VFL as the clubs are cash strapped enough as it is, let alone funding away trips to Sydney. Either that, or the Swans would need to pay all expenses of getting teams to Sydney.

It won't happen. In my view, an elite 8 team QLD / NSW /ACT competition is the most realistic outcome.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Though I do still love going to Bell's hotel in Sth Melbourne to watch the Sunday afternoon games....

Do many people still do that? I normally go to the Danish Club. It is nothing special & the food is not horribly well-priced for footy fans.

Is Bells worth a trial one day?

JF

[reigning premier]

Do many people still do that? I normally go to the Danish Club. It is nothing special & the food is not horribly well-priced for footy fans.

Is Bells worth a trial one day?

JF

When the game's not on FTA, it's worth a trip.

But you still get a few regulars down there very game.

[Triple B]

364 days ago I put a few peoples noses out of joint by asking them to get out of bed earlier.

You don't need to get out of bed before midday this week!!

If you intend lounging around Saturday afternoon before heading off to Homebush, this is one week you should bite the bullet and get yourself there by 3:45pm. There is no Saturday afternoon AFL game on 10 or Fox, no footy to keep you on the sofa.

The reserves this week will be a cracker.

Belconnen are on top and in a real purple patch of form. You'd imagine the Swans will select as good a side as the rules allow them, so take the opportunity to go and see Vespa, Currie, Murphy, Meredith, White and other guys you haven't seen play in a game where I dare say for the first time in 3 or 4 years they will start as underdogs.

See you there.

[johnno]

364 days ago I put a few peoples noses out of joint by asking them to get out of bed earlier.

You don't need to get out of bed before midday this week!!

If you intend lounging around Saturday afternoon before heading off to Homebush, this is one week you should bite the bullet and get yourself there by 3:45pm. There is no Saturday afternoon AFL game on 10 or Fox, no footy to keep you on the sofa.

The reserves this week will be a cracker.

Belconnen are on top and in a real purple patch of form. You'd imagine the Swans will select as good a side as the rules allow them, so take the opportunity to go and see Vespa, Currie, Murphy, Meredith, White and other guys you haven't seen play in a game where I dare say for the first time in 3 or 4 years they will start as underdogs.

See you there.

Thanks for posting this BBB, I am flying up for this weekends game and was planning to see at least the second half of the ressies, now after reading this, I might get along to the whole game. Really looking forward to seeing how Murphy and Orreall are going.

[undy]

Sh!k, I've just read every message in the thread only to find out its a year old - although I was puzzled by people complaining that the games were so one-sided.

Anyway, here's a couple of thoughts:

1) The reserves reports are brilliant, but it often takes me a while to track them down now they live in their own sub-forum... can we bring them back to the chat forum ? Or at least post a link ? (If I'm just technolazy, please ignore)

2) Just in case this thread is turned back into a "we should be in the VFL/QFL/NBA" thread - I don't think that we've seen evidence that playing in the ACTAFL is weakening our player development... although now that we've started losing matches there things could change.

3) Having the reserves play in Sydney when the seniors aren't would be cool. If using the ground for two consecutive games became an issue then I'd love this... much easier to get three hour pass-outs than 6 hour ones.


Andy