AFL slaps trade ban on Swans

[dimelb]

You are right of course, not enough people or money, although exactly the same could be said of a couple of Melbourne teams, but the time has well passed for a Tassie AFL team, it would not be viable now for a variety of reasons.

That Tim and one or two others continue to beat the drum occasionally, may come from the lingering resentment that the AFL chose to throw millions$$$$$ into setting up the two expansion teams, which may or may not eventually become financially viable, at the same time that it was telling Tassie, if you want a team show us the money and sponsors.

The fundamental reason why Tasmania hasn't got a team of its own has nothing to do with money (as Flanagan points out) or population numbers. Tasmania has about a third of South Australia's population, which has two AFL teams, and more than double that of Northern Territory which has no AFL teams but is part of the NEAFL setup. Tasmania is not even part of that.

Tasmania's "problem" is that it has always been an Australian Football state; it is in the fold and doesn't have to be wooed, but can live off the crumbs that fall from the mainland table. At present the only thing I can think of that might change the AFL's attitude is the possibility that soccer will gain a higher profile with a corresponding drift of numbers away from AF.

To return to something more on topic, the AFL seems to regard Tasmania as a client state that can be pillaged for talent without spending very much while remaining under the thumb of the Commission. In that respect they are even worse off than Queensland.

[Sandridge]

If hawthorn win this year's flag it will need a big asterix next to it. Because they will have not earned the right to host the grand final at there home ground by finishing top.

How do you think Hawthorne odds would blow out if the granny was hosted in Perth this year ?

Absolutely right. McGuire, in particular, bleats about a level playing field for Melbourne clubs but if one year Collingwood snuck into 8th spot and miraculously got to the Grand Final against a non-Victorian team, the Grand Final would be played at Collingwood's home ground.

[stevoswan]

Much easier than try to provide an alternative point of view to someone who knows everything and lectures accordingly

Yawwwn.........you are noticing the winks?

[Puppy Eyes]

I'll be very surprised if it's Leuenberger.

My suspicion is we're making a play for Carlisle.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

The clock is ticking...... Consequences and repercsussions

If, after giving the Commission our proposal, that the Trade Ban is still intact, then judgement day has arrived.
'
If we then backoff with the "court action" scenario then we look like the biggest cheats and the weakest club in the competition and Dill, Eddie and Mike will be laughing for the 'rest of time' knowing they have beaten Sydney and we never have to listen to them again and mock us endlessly.

If we pull the trigger and start the 'Trade Ban Lawsuit' then the 'Eddie media team' will hit the overdrive and try even harder to degrade the Sydney Swans and keep the wedge in place making normal people turning against Sydney and the northern clubs.

Remember, in terms of 'Eddie', if I say the same thing, over and over and over again, based on sketchy details or total lies, some people will accept my comments as the norm and the AFL environment will turn even more against the Swans.

The Swans have to fight for their rights.

When we win a flag or two with no COLA, a fair acedemy draft, no assistance from the AFL, 'Eddie' will still whinge about his crap club, not getting a fair go like the Swans. I don't hate the players just the Magpies club. At the Hawks I dislike several players and hatethe club and NEWBOLD is one of the silent assassins in 'Eddies' group with Dermie and I am even thinking about Leigh Matthews. For me, Dunstall looks smart and generally right in his comments.

[Industrial Fan]

Much easier than try to provide an alternative point of view to someone who knows everything and lectures accordingly

I dont understand MP? Arent you supposed to get more aggressive and condescending?

[barry]

I'll be very surprised if it's Leuenberger.

My suspicion is we're making a play for Carlisle.

I hope so. Leuenberger is a bit overrated in my opinion. Carlisle is the classy full back to replace Ted.

(We'd have to keep Ted for a year, in case Carlisle has to sit out a drug ban)

[Nico]

The clock is ticking...... Consequences and repercsussions

If, after giving the Commission our proposal, that the Trade Ban is still intact, then judgement day has arrived.
'
If we then backoff with the "court action" scenario then we look like the biggest cheats and the weakest club in the competition and Dill, Eddie and Mike will be laughing for the 'rest of time' knowing they have beaten Sydney and we never have to listen to them again and mock us endlessly.

If we pull the trigger and start the 'Trade Ban Lawsuit' then the 'Eddie media team' will hit the overdrive and try even harder to degrade the Sydney Swans and keep the wedge in place making normal people turning against Sydney and the northern clubs.

Remember, in terms of 'Eddie', if I say the same thing, over and over and over again, based on sketchy details or total lies, some people will accept my comments as the norm and the AFL environment will turn even more against the Swans.

The Swans have to fight for their rights.

When we win a flag or two with no COLA, a fair acedemy draft, no assistance from the AFL, 'Eddie' will still whinge about his crap club, not getting a fair go like the Swans. I don't hate the players just the Magpies club. At the Hawks I dislike several players and hatethe club and NEWBOLD is one of the silent assassins in 'Eddies' group with Dermie and I am even thinking about Leigh Matthews. For me, Dunstall looks smart and generally right in his comments.

I would suggest McGuire has more problems in his own back yard. The holes in the crowd last week were not because Tigers fans were staying away. If the Pies were in the 8 it would have been a packed house. Empty houses were the order of the day when they were last down the list. Maybe an even softer draw is on the agenda in 2016. Their squad is on the blink. Pendles, Cloke and Swan are not getting any younger and they don't appear to have any replacements. This mob could well be heading further south in 2016, then we will see some teeth grinding and hand wringing at the club. The media are not saying it but the warning sirens are sounding very loud. Good luck with your projects Mr McGuire.

By the way another flogging at the hands of the Cats this week beckons. And the final round massive, final home and away game blockbuster against the model aircraft promises to be a riveting encounter. Can't wait for Anzac Day 2016.

[Auntie.Gerald]

there is not a chance we will go to court on the matter re the ban

but we can certainly unite with GC, Lions and GWS to create a faction that the AFL will find very hard to ignore on matter more important in the future

[AnnieH]

Why isn't there a chance?
There's always a chance.


They meet today.

[YvonneH]

Anyone like to voice their opinion on our chances for getting the ban overturned completely (0% in my opinion), having it softened (15%), having it stand as is (85%) or the club taking legal action (0%)

[Bloodthirsty]

I hope so. Leuenberger is a bit overrated in my opinion. Carlisle is the classy full back to replace Ted.

(We'd have to keep Ted for a year, in case Carlisle has to sit out a drug ban)

AFL article today - MOTLOP? Would be great.

[Puppy Eyes]

Anyone like to voice their opinion on our chances for getting the ban overturned completely (0% in my opinion), having it softened (15%), having it stand as is (85%) or the club taking legal action (0%)

I think the ban will be overturned today. If not, then I think there is a 100% chance of legal action. The new rights deal increases the revenue by about 67%. It is not unreasonable to therefore presume an increase in the cap of around 40-50%.

There is no way in the world that the trade ban can stay in circumstances where the COLA will be overtaken by the cap over the next couple of years irrespective of what the Swans do to phase it out. There is no way in the world that the AFL can justify leaving the Swans a year behind in list management in those circumstances.

If legal action wasn't justified before, it certainly would be now. The Swans Board would be absolutely derelict in their obligations to their members to accept the status quo in the circumstances. And the AFL would be maliciously belligerent to not reverse it today. The "cap management" excuse has just disappeared.

[barry]

Anyone like to voice their opinion on our chances for getting the ban overturned completely (0% in my opinion), having it softened (15%), having it stand as is (85%) or the club taking legal action (0%)

I'm betting on softened, which is an AFL cop out.

Bring in the QC's. Overturn the ban, and seek compensation for the ban last year.

[liz]

The news (reported on AFL360 last night, quoting some other media outlet that I can't remember) that the Hawks have put a $1m a year offer to The Chad (for 2017) puts things into perspective. We can't have it all, but apparently the Dorks can?