RSS: Deal struck for Reserves

[ScottH]

A new three-year deal for the Swans Reserves to remain in the Canberra competition...

More...

(This post was automatically generated from news items on www.sydneyswans.com.au )

[swantastic]

What a load of rubbish,the magoos should be in the VFL if the Swans want to develope our younger players.

[Robbo]

Absolutely disgraceful.

[goswannie14]

Ridiculous.

IMO they would be better off fielding two teams in the comp if the locals want the club to be limited in it's domination of the comp. They are going to be limited to only about half a team when it is named anyway, so why not do it properly so that all the ressies players get a game every week.

[swansrock4eva]

Not. Happy. Jan.

[Robbo]

This is even worse than last year. Another step in the wrong direction.

[WASwansFanatic]

Disgrace.

[Legs Akimbo]

Some of the measures sound okay in terms of evening things up, but realistically none of this is going to do much to address the stated objective - improve the standard of the competition. I can help but wonder about the effect on some of our younger players (e.g. Moore) who have been carving up the kids, dads, (mums), never wases and never wills that make up this so called 'competition'.

If they really want to develop the quality of the competition, they (and/or the AFL) should provide funding to each club to sign one or more semi-professional players (i.e. ex AFL) and develop a feeder system whereby delisted players in some way are supported if they choose to play in the league.

I still think a better option overall would have been to play in the VFL or enter an expanded NSW/QLD league with Brissie lions and stronger local clubs like Southport.
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[Glenn]

By all means run coaching development, but how does playing ACTAFL (even with a reduced number on the field), help develop players for the AFL.

[hammo]

Seems like a good compromise. The outcome ensures that our reserves continue to play together as the Swans and under Swans coaches.

[TheMase]

This would signal that the Swans plan to run with two less rookies, having Magic and LBarry on the vets list instead.

This way the two player thing does not effect us quite as much, as we'll have two less players.

[573v30]

A disappointing outcome.

[Ludwig]

This would signal that the Swans plan to run with two less rookies, having Magic and LBarry on the vets list instead.

This way the two player thing does not effect us quite as much, as we'll have two less players.

Are you sure?

Sounds like 2 less rookies, but 2 more senior players, with total player numbers the same. Therefore, no change in the numbers playing in the reserves.

Following on from LA's remarks about joining up with Queensland: That sounds like the best bet in lieu of a full blown AFL reserves league. Perhaps there could be something like a 12 team NSW/ACT, Qld plus Tassie Devils league. I think that sort of league would produce something a lot closer to the level of the other minor leagues.

It should be noted that many of the Victorian teams are looking to field their own reserves teams and some have cut ties with VFL affiliates, citing the advantage of controlling what your own players do, which is usually quite different from what a mixed VFL team would want. This is the Swans' advantage, which may offset the many other well noted disadvantages.

The AFL seconds situation is currently all over the place and it is likely that something will be brought in so that all AFL clubs handle their reserves in a similar fashion. Perhaps the Swans' management think it is best to stay put during this period of flux.

[DST]

Firstly the VFL compertition as it stands now is highly unlikely to be retained past next year with strong rumours the AFL is looking to go back to a reserve based system for the Eastern seaboard clubs, so it would have been a waste of time and effort to go it alone in the VFL next year and beyond with such a fluid situation.

We also need to factor in, that Gold Coast could have a team within the next 3 years which could put a combined QLD/NSW based comp a distinct possibility with two AFL teams in Queensland.

While the standard of the comp in Canberra is not what we would like, the overall benefit of having the reserves play together under our own coaching program is to me far more appealing than sending some down to Melbourne to play within an existing VFL club.

The decision on the reserves has probably come a year or two too early so the best case scenario at present is to say with the status quo and be ready in three years time when a stand alone reserves comp or a NSW/QLD based comp could be the solution.

DST

[BeeEmmAre]

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