Western Sydney team to be delayed

[Cheer Squad]

I always thought the Western Bulldogs would be a perfect fit for Western Sydney, don't even have to change the name.

I had thought that about Richmond, but I think they are financially stable at the moment. I also thought Melbourne could go to Tassie, "Demons" could be changed to "Devils", and you have the Tassie Devils.

Yes, that would work nicely.

[Wardy]

I always thought the Western Bulldogs would be a perfect fit for Western Sydney, don't even have to change the name.

I had thought that about Richmond, but I think they are financially stable at the moment. I also thought Melbourne could go to Tassie, "Demons" could be changed to "Devils", and you have the Tassie Devils.

look what are you thinking?? dont you know that makes just far too much sense to even be considered by the AFL !!! (I couldnt agree with you more though Rev!)

[AnnieH]

... but "Blacktown Bogans" had such a nice ring to it!!!

[Big Al]

They'll have to restrict the family ticket though.

Cruel

[Bear]

A 'nothing' article full of hot air and no new detail. Not sure why anyone would read much into one journo's opinion.

The NEW team (for the AFL's credibilty in Sydney, cannot be another relocated Melbourne team) will start in 2012.

It will be like calling in the cavalry into NSW to help the Swans climb from the trenches and grow interest in Australian Football across Greater Sydney. BIG TIME.

Soccer is even getting federal funding to take their game to Indigenous Australians. We must act now in THEIR heartland... it's a land grab.

We snooze, we lose.

[connolly]

The message from this is that there will be no 18th team in the current economic environment.

There are some serious implications for all 16 existing clubs, but particularly the Melbourne ones and those already struggling financially:

* Corporate sponsorship will be wound back. In Melbourne, all 9 clubs will be competing for a smaller pie.

* Club memberships will fall off. Households will be looking to cut their spending and for many football memberships will be what goes (particularly if your club has no prospect of playing finals).

* The next TV deal could be signifcantly less than the current one meaning less money for all clubs. All media companies are under pressure. A post-Packer 9 will not have the money to conduct a bidding war for AFL rights (they also just paid for the Olympics), so it points to 7 and 10 getting the rights again for a bargain price.

Some Melbourne clubs must be very nervous to see where this all ends up - Melbourne FC in particular. Football is not immune from economic downturns and while the AFL competition has socialist ideals, the AFL as a body is basically a commercial beast and will let a club die / relocate / merge if it ultimately leads to a healthier competition. We're more likely to see a return to 16 teams rather than an 18th team which is probably what the AFL wants.

The Depression 0f 2010 will wipe out at least two Melbourne clubs. And a good thing too. Hopefully Vlad and that pretender from the Carlton Crims will fall on their swords as well. Its all good.

[connolly]

A 'nothing' article full of hot air and no new detail. Not sure why anyone would read much into one journo's opinion.

The NEW team (for the AFL's credibilty in Sydney, cannot be another relocated Melbourne team) will start in 2012.

It will be like calling in the cavalry into NSW to help the Swans climb from the trenches and grow interest in Australian Football across Greater Sydney. BIG TIME.

Soccer is even getting federal funding to take their game to Indigenous Australians. We must act now in THEIR heartland... it's a land grab.

We snooze, we lose.

Soccer is insolvent and the Westfield weazel will not put a cent of the billions he has wrung from small business people to help it. Its national comp will be euthanased in two seasons. As for the trenches are you talking of a financial Somme?

[Wardy]

Soccer is even getting federal funding to take their game to Indigenous Australians. We must act now in THEIR heartland... it's a land grab.

We snooze, we lose.

No no no - you dont get it - Mr Lowy wants the funding for the heartland so as he can build another Westfield Mall - he's just using Soccer as a teaser!!!!

[Bear]

Soccer is insolvent and the Westfield weazel will not put a cent of the billions he has wrung from small business people to help it. Its national comp will be euthanased in two seasons. As for the trenches are you talking of a financial Somme?

Breathtaking ignorance.

[BSA5]

Breathtaking ignorance.

But delivered with no small amount of panache, it must be said.

[givekidsakick]

I've always thought that if Richmond relocated to Tasmania, the Tassie Tigers would certainly have a ring to it. They'd probably become one of the most popular brands in the AFL.

Yes, Tassie deserves a team and Tassie Tigers is a good fit.The demography of Richmond has changed which also makes them ideal (All those Greeks playing kick it with your head) for the move to western sydney. I don't think its a goer anyway...its taken 25 years to get 20k bums on seats for the Swans. But in the end 9 teams in Melbourne just won't work....

[Dalai Lama]

Was thinking the same thing, bring on Tassie.

You have to be kidding! Those poor buggers are still trying to work how to blow a siren!!!! And ousted Premier Jeff has them sown up for a few more years anyhow.

[DST]

Guys, when are you going to understand that this has absolutely no relation to how many people will watch the team or join up as members (at least not for the next 30 years).

This is purely a simply a play to make sure the AFL has access to what is and is going to be the two largest and fastest growing areas in Australia. That means advertises have access to extended and sponsors will have to pay top dollar as due to the scope of the audience.

And that's not mention the war that is being waged at present between the major sporting codes for the ever dwindiling supply of kids who show some sort of sporting talent or athletic ability. This is the biggest key to the sport going forward,as you are going to need to provide the product for people to come and watch and pay for.

The AFL are quite happy to prop both of these teams up for the next 30 years to the tune of 100's of million dollars to make sure it remains the number one sport in Australia

We would all like to see Tassie in the AFL, but it has absolutely no value to the AFL to spend money in that state when it has no return what so ever in relation to where our game will be in 30 years time.

DST

[BSA5]

Tassie will get a team.... when every other area of Australia has been conquered. It will happen, just not for a while. Western Sydney has a higher priority, precisely for the reasons people say it should be scrapped: there's very little AFL support. They aren't putting a team in there to convert Swans fans and other AFL fans. What would be the point of that? They're putting a team there to convert LEAGUE fans.

[kirksbudha]

Soccer is insolvent and the Westfield weazel will not put a cent of the billions he has wrung from small business people to help it. Its national comp will be euthanased in two seasons. As for the trenches are you talking of a financial Somme?

I know Frank he isa really nice bloke, why all the acrimony?

What on earth has he done to you?