In recent days, Melbourne officials haven’t hidden their dissatisfaction over their VFL affiliate, the Casey Scorpions, reaching an in-principal agreement with Brendan Fevola for the 2011 season. “We made our position clear to the Scorpions that we don’t support his recruitment,” Demons chief executive Cameron Schwab told The Age.
Among the club’s concerns were the impact this will have on the several young key forwards on the club’s list. The Dees recruited three forwards 190cm or taller at last year’s draft, including No. 12 overall pick Lucas Cook.
With Fevola and his goal scoring ability around, these players will surely find playing time harder to come by and they may not be able to play in the roles Melbourne wants them to.
Then there’s the obvious issue of whether a player with Fevola’s history is the kind of influence the Demons want around their young players.
The whole situation has again reignited discussion on Melbourne-based AFL clubs having a stand-alone reserves team in the VFL rather than an affiliate.
After all, this kind of situation would not happen at Geelong or Collingwood, the two clubs who currently field stand-alone teams. With complete control over their reserves, all it takes is a simple “No” to keep Fevola away – or anyone else they feel may hinder the development of their young players for that matter.
Meanwhile, the Demons are powerless to act. Despite contributing $250-300,000 – depending on which paper you read – to the Scorpions each year, the VFL side remain “an independent club”. The Dees also have a 30-year agreement with the city of Casey.
As clubs continue to explore every last avenue to help win a premiership, the Fevola case is yet another compelling reason why the affiliate structure mightn’t be the most helpful system.
It has not gone unnoticed that Geelong and Collingwood have won three of the past four AFL premierships. Richmond launched its debt-removing $6 million fundraising campaign last month in part to have the money to fund a stand-alone team.
“We need our own reserves team,” said Tigers coach Damien Hardwick. “We need to be responsible for the development of our side. Then we can invest in our playing list and see if Ben Griffiths can play at centre half-forward or centre half-back.”
Even outside Victoria, something similar is occurring. It was reported yesterday West Coast and Fremantle are set to submit a proposal for both clubs to field reserves sides in the WAFL from as early as next year.
Whether or not the existing WAFL clubs will let the proposal get anywhere is another story, but it does show the temptation to have direct control over reserves is not limited to a small handful of clubs.
Of course, there are extra costs associated with running your own team. Also for many clubs, Melbourne especially it seems, there are contracts in place that need to be honoured. But it’s difficult to see the gradual shift to stand-alone teams not continuing.
“We’re distancing ourselves from this decision,” Schwab said this week.
In an ideal world, he wouldn’t have to.
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