Swans reserves to join VFL as a stand alone outfit

[goswannie14]

I believe that a move to the VFL is not just a good move, it's an absolute necessity. There must be real developmental issues associated with reserve grade Swan players, especially Defenders being stuck in such a low standard competition as the Canberra League. In some games in recent years, Defenders for Sydney have often not even got, or rarely at least got a touch of the ball. This must impact upon the seniors if such players are to be promoted.

In playing the VFL, there are additional marketing opportunities for Swans fans, particular older ones, living in Melbourne. I'd advocate for the Swans VFL team to be called "South Melbourne" rather than "Sydney", and for them to wear the old South guernsey. Further, although Lakes Oval no longer exist as a footy ground, a deal could be done with Port Melbourne, where the Swans could share nearby TEAC Oval close to the heart of the old South territory with them.

It would be a great marketing ploy by the club if they managed to pull it off. It would also give the reserves some far better competition in a league that is competitive.

You have backed up what I have been thinking, it would be a great marketing ploy if the club can pull it off. However, the "South Melbourne" name tag may cause some problems when the ressies are playing at home in Sydney. Only time will tell though.

[stellation]

Would there really be a need to refer to them as South Melbourne? As a Sydney based fan I don't think there would be too much of a concern if they were referd to as the South Swans, would that suffice? It removes the Melbourne so as not to alienate Sydney based fans (still a relevant name as they would be the Swans playing down south) but gives that "South" name to it.

I assume they would still play games at the SCG/Homebush when the Swans seniors are at home? Would we have to pick up the bill for the traveling team? I guess if we have to pay then we would pay whether a team comes up or we go down for home games. Issue there being that if they don't play home games in Sydney then Sydney fans don't get to see the youngsters and build some interest in them, if they do play them in Sydney then it means that it might not be the great Swans entity in Melbourne that we think; if we play in Melbourne 6 times next year, and have 11 Sydney home games, it would only give 5 weekends when the reserves would play in Melbourne when the Seniors aren't already down there that weekend. Which might be enough to keep folks happy, 11 Swans weekends a year for Melbourne too (kind of!).

[ROK Lobster]

To add further light to this, the Kangaroos broke their affliation with Tasmania and Carlton & Collingwood are close to breaking their affliations with the Bullants and Williamstown respectively. Could be a lot of teams next year in the VFL?

Kangaroos, Carlton and Collingwood to the ACT! Suck on that Ainslie!

[stellation]

Kangaroos, Carlton and Collingwood to the ACT! Suck on that Ainslie!

Now THAT would be developing the game! VFL will have people turn up anyway, and it still leaves 89 AFL teams in Victoria to be affiliated with VFL clubs still. AFL Canberra with Swans, Roos, Carlton and Collingwood... AFL throws 1.5 million per year of their development budget for the next ten years in to the league purely for player salaries to the other existing teams (and odds and ends) so they can each afford 1 decent captain/coach who wants a lifestyle change @ $100k pa + 5 * $30k pa AFL "regional scholarships" for youngsters to be attracted to the league. Add another 6 decent players to some of those clubs and they could definitely compete against some of the AFL reserves. $15 million investment, and you'd know well and truly if there was any point in putting a team there... even if it meant that after 2 years of it you were selling out Manuka for each game because people were seeing enough decent footy to get interest then just based on the average crowd at Manuka this year of 12,892 and a rough capacity of 15k at a very low ball figure of about $10 profit per head in then you recoup an extra $20k (small biccies) in the first year... then throw in an extra 2 games and you have an extra $320k just from additional takings... increased advertising revenue in Canberra? throw it in to the league. Put together a 10 year business plan for AFL Canberra to be self sufficient of sorts by only living off AFL handouts generated in Canberra (partly) due to the strength of the local comp. Invite the Dapto Doggies into the league!

[Missy]

... even if it meant that after 2 years of it you were selling out Manuka for each game because people were seeing enough decent footy to get interest then just based on the average crowd at Manuka this year of 12,892 and a rough capacity of 15k at a very low ball figure of about $10 profit per head in then you recoup an extra $20k (small biccies) in the first year...

You would assume the majority of that crowd had travelled down from Sydney, yes? The question is would they be able to pull crowds that big with a decent seconds comp?

[stellation]

You would assume the majority of that crowd had travelled down from Sydney, yes? The question is would they be able to pull crowds that big with a decent seconds comp?

I'm assuming that the additional 2k for the existing games come from Canberra and the surrounding areas based on the regular exposure to a higher level of competition. The assumption for selling out any additional games that get added there without Sydney playing is pretty hopeful, but it was just a silly hypothetical

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

I agree with the idea of the reserves playing in the Queensland comp with the Lions reserves instead of heading to the VFL. It would be much better for the game, and the quality of the competition up there is still high. Although, you'd have to think that the magoos playing in the VFL would be a very nice thing for our Melbourne members!

It would cost the same to fly everyone to Melbourne as it would to fly them to Queensland. Why play Kedron Grange and Coorparoo when you can play Port Melbourne & Coburg for the same cost.

JF

[stellation]

It would cost the same to fly everyone to Melbourne as it would to fly them to Queensland. Why play Kedron Grange and Coorparoo when you can play Port Melbourne & Coburg for the same cost.

JF

I think the competition in Queensland is more than decent (admittedly not at the level of the VFL, SANFL or WAFL but still a good testing ground) and it would be better for developing Australian Rules football as a whole (and the Queensland state comp in particular).

[ROK Lobster]

I think the competition in Queensland is more than decent (admittedly not at the level of the VFL, SANFL or WAFL but still a good testing ground) and it would be better for developing Australian Rules football as a whole (and the Queensland state comp in particular).

But JF lives in Melbourne you @@@@-knuckle

[Bas]

But JF lives in Melbourne you @@@@-knuckle

Beating his own drum no doubt

I'm disappointed JF you haven't challenged knuckle dragging joffa yet. Not much opportunity lately I suppose.

[ROK Lobster]

They did this for a 100 years until some smart bunny thought of a 'better idea".

Was the original reserves comp your idea?

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

I think the competition in Queensland is more than decent (admittedly not at the level of the VFL, SANFL or WAFL but still a good testing ground) and it would be better for developing Australian Rules football as a whole (and the Queensland state comp in particular).

Personally I'm not too fussed about me having more footy to watch. I watch the Swans either on TV or in person each week & that is actually enough.I'm enjoying not going to the footy on EVERY week as well. Of course I'd go to Swans VFL games if they were on, but surprise surprise I'm NOT thinking about me here. I just don't see any advantage in playing in a lesser Qld comp when for the same money you could fly em down on Jetstar & have em playing at Willy or Sandy.

I still don't see why it is OUR job to prop up football in Qld. That is the Lions & AFLQ's job. If we wanted to help promote football we'd still have our reggies in the SFL. But we saw what a useful exercise that was.

The development of Aussie Rules & what is best for the Swans are two totally different things these days. We are a $52million company. I feel we can afford to play in a comp like the VFL (or even SANFL).

Personally I think selling a combined AFL/VFL Swans membership may also help develop and generate the Swans membership and Melbourne infrastructure a bit too. The club would be committing more money to things on-field, so they would need to commit to things off it as well. Which could lead to better things for members such as a proper clubhouse/home pub for members to go and watch games at etc etc. A win-win for everyone I feel.

JF

[gloveski]

Talk of Swans reserves side in the VFL next year

JUst watching the ABC after the VFL Grand Final and there is talk that Sydney have expressed interest in fielding a VFL team next year most likely on their own. Should no more in the next 2 weeks according to Peter Schwab

[ScottH]

Dogs have severed ties with Werribee and look like going to Williamstown.

[Robbo]

Based on results in the Canberra GF, we would get slaughtered in the VFL.

But we should still move there nonetheless.