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When one thinks of struggling or ‘irrelevant’ clubs in the AFL one typically jumps straight to North Melbourne or Port Adelaide. These two clubs played off on the weekend for the title of worst performing established club (the Gold Coast hardly counts in this article despite being all but guaranteed the wooden spoon).
The match appeared a burden to the reporters and media types who seemed forced to dissect and promote it.
Both clubs with proud histories and supporters find themselves battling to get attention and respect both on field and off, but unfortunately for both their real problems lie in the later.
The AFL’s draft system means a club can realistically expect to rise up the ladder after years on the bottom. The argument of ‘Tanking’ aside, a clubs best option is often to wait out the hard years and let young kids blossom. Unfortunately, while your bank account dwindles, this wait can sometimes be agonizingly long, even a gamble.
North Melbourne have done exceedingly well over the last few seasons to shake the battler title, and remodel themselves as a young and up and coming list.
But if you believe that, you’ll also believe that Gary Ablett wasn’t guaranteed the Suns captaincy.
While they deliberately fight for this new persona, their obscurities in the big league and money issues are still troublesome. Seemingly constant talk of relocation and playing in new markets don’t help with the idea of North being in trouble, but these could realistically be their best option for survival.
The unpopular view on Melbourne based clubs is, simply, there are too many. Exploiting a new market in say Ballarat could be the best way for North to get new fans which simply don’t exist in the crowded Melbourne market.
Port Adelaide’s problems are, while similar, far more urgent. Like North, Port have put on a brave face and done well in merging with the Port Adelaide Magpies to reunite themselves with their heritage and provide a crucial safety net- the SANFL will not allow the country’s most successful football club to fold and the Power with it.
However the Power’s immediate debt problems, compiled by poor membership, crowd numbers and the worst stadium deal in the AFL, are too pressing to ignore – and a move to Adelaide Oval, which might not occur for another 4-5 years, if at all, is not going to help the club short term.
Ultimately, on field success is the only answer for both clubs, and the tough times will end for both, but steps must be taken now to ensure this.
One has already been mentioned early in this article and at nausea in the press – the exploitation of new markets. North can do a lot worse then attract new fans from Ballarat, and Port Adelaide’s move into the Northern Territory should be more aggressive, with 4-5 games a year, not three.
Not good for fans here, but the club needs to grow, and the fishbowl that is Adelaide is not going to provide this opportunity.
One certainty in this argument is that the AFL cannot be expected to help these clubs. Their minds are clear set on getting Gold Coast Suns and GWS Giants premierships and suring up the new markets, not propping up old ones.
Fitzroy are the prime example of the AFL putting profit ahead of passion. As a business, they cannot be expected to give up growth in new markets, and struggling clubs should take a leaf out of Melbourne’s book and be aggressive and innovative in ensuring their survival, taking on the responsibility.
Tough times will end fortunately, but tough decisions are needed now for success long term, and new markets could be the answer for both Port and North.
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