Top ups... just a thought

[goswannies]

This recent article on the Swans website got me thinking...


Thanks to the top-ups! - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club

Could the Swans raise money by auctioning off/selling a spot in a reserves game? The potential self-funded top-up players could be required to meet a certain standard (skill & fitness) before being considered (like the billionaires who buy a trip to the international space station who have to do the normal training programme of regular astronauts). Self-funded top-up players could have a designated gurnsey number and they get to keep their match-day jumper (eg 74? as in the Swans were founded in 1874), and be guarenteed a minimal amount of time on the ground. The Swans could apply for a one game registration in the Canberra League (if this exists).

Just a thought... and probably not a particularly good one

[dimelb]

Why not? Our universities work that way.

[Midfield]

The reserves play in a real league with real footballers. It would be highly offensive to the comp if this was introduced. No offence to you though goswannies.

[Matt79]

Funny similar idea that I thought could work with a new team like GWS or Gold Coast. Like Football Superstar, the winning player could gain a rookie contract on the list.

[aardvark]

I wonder if Richard Branson would like a run....

[goswannies]

The reserves play in a real league with real footballers. It would be highly offensive to the comp if this was introduced. No offence to you though goswannies.

None taken Midfield. But considering that some of the current top up players are U18 age and wouldn't typically get a senior game in other teams, and I did suggest that the person buying a game might have to satisfy certain standards (eg. Geofrey Edelston probably wouldn't have the fitness, even if he did have - or borrowed - the $), the person might have to demonstrate that they are capable of competing. eg what if the winner was a "real footballer" - whatever you mean by that (I can only presumer that they actually play/played football?), who was successful in business (=$$) and played in a local league somewhere and was a keen Swans fan and just wanted the chance to play with the club at some level?
I've never seen a Canberra game but how good is the worst senior player for the Tuggeranong Hawks? If the person who bought their game with the Swans wasn't as bad as the worst senior player in the Canberra AFL (no offence to that person, by the way) how could that offend the Canberra AFL comp?

I thought I recall Collingwood considering such a concept in the 80s or early 90s when there was still a VFL reserves comp, but ultimately decided against it. I might be wrong though.

[Triple B]

I wonder if Richard Branson would like a run....

I doubt he'd know the rules, he's an AFL virgin.

[aardvark]

I doubt he'd know the rules, he's an AFL virgin.

Yes but think how the boys would enjoy the private jet and the lovely hosties...........yeah its not going to work is it ?

[ugg]

Topup Idol, Australia's Next TopUp, So You Think You Can Top Up or MasterTopup?

[Kirkari]

Topup Idol, Australia's Next TopUp, So You Think You Can Top Up or MasterTopup?

You forgot TopUp with the Stars

[Midfield]

None taken Midfield. But considering that some of the current top up players are U18 age and wouldn't typically get a senior game in other teams, and I did suggest that the person buying a game might have to satisfy certain standards (eg. Geofrey Edelston probably wouldn't have the fitness, even if he did have - or borrowed - the $), the person might have to demonstrate that they are capable of competing. eg what if the winner was a "real footballer" - whatever you mean by that (I can only presumer that they actually play/played football?), who was successful in business (=$$) and played in a local league somewhere and was a keen Swans fan and just wanted the chance to play with the club at some level?
I've never seen a Canberra game but how good is the worst senior player for the Tuggeranong Hawks? If the person who bought their game with the Swans wasn't as bad as the worst senior player in the Canberra AFL (no offence to that person, by the way) how could that offend the Canberra AFL comp?

I thought I recall Collingwood considering such a concept in the 80s or early 90s when there was still a VFL reserves comp, but ultimately decided against it. I might be wrong though.

I am not so concerned about the quality of the player, just the fact that you pay to get a gig in a serious comp. The top ups that play are usually promising or very good young blokes in the local comps who hopefully improve from playing next to genuine afl players. There is no value in it, but there is much value in the current system. By the way, it would work fine for an end of year celebrity game (which i think they do occassionly). I would pay a years wage to kick it to plugger one out in the SCG goal square.

[teddys mum]

I recently spoke to one of the co-captains who said that the top ups for the reserve team usually add almost no value. The swans don't mind though because the coaches are swans coaches and thus the reserves get to play the same game plan as the senior team. They are then familiar with the seniors' strategy when they get a run. In comparison, the AFL teams who send their players to the VFL don't get to expose their players to a matching game plan because the VFL club coach plays them as they see fit.

Therefore I reckon goswannies proposal isn't really that offensive or unsuitable.

[goswannies]

Therefore I reckon goswannies proposal isn't really that offensive or unsuitable.

Why thanks Mrs Teddy